Dec 16, 2019

Program Helps Young Olim Adjust to Life in Israel

Through Federation overseas partner The Jewish Agency for Israel, immigrants who make aliyah receive support during their transition to life in Israel. The Selah program, an acronym of the Hebrew words “students before their parents,” is designed especially for Russian-speaking youth who  arrive alone before their families. It provides the young olim (immigrants) from the former Soviet Union with resources, education and emotional guidance.

For Moshe, a young immigrant from Donetske, Ukraine who came to Israel in 2018, Selah offered a way to study Hebrew, prepare for army service and learn about his new home. It also connected him with a group of olim from countries including Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan — giving him a sense of community. Today, he is looking forward to enlisting in the Israel Defense Forces and continuing his studies to become a surgeon.

“It’s so amazing that every Jew can come home to Israel anytime,” Moshe said. “I love this country. That’s why I think every citizen of Israel should protect this land. I want to be a part of the development of this country because in the future my family and children will live here.”