February 12, 2006 / 24 Shevat 5767

The UJC Missions Managers of the Israel and NY offices joined with Federation professionals for the annual UJC Familiarization Trip. On Feb. 7, 2007, they visited the Nazareth Illit Absorption Center.

They had a very moving meeting at the absorption center, meeting with the new Bnei Menashe immigrants who recently arrived from Mizram, India. The newcomers sang a traditional song longing for the "Land of the Sunset-Zion" in Mizu, their native language, and related personal stories of their acclimation to their new homeland, Israel.

In Nazareth Illit, the mission also met with immigrant IDF Soldiers who participated in the Nativ Program, and shared stories of how this program gave them enrichment in Jewish studies, and in some cases, prepared them for conversion to Judaism.