January 4, 2009 / 8 Tevet 5769
Children from the South visiting the Western Wall in Jerusalem, Thursday
Children from Southern Israel Enjoy a Day of Respite in Jerusalem
Children enjoy fun day out, away from danger zone
19 buses took 1,000 children and youth away from the range of missiles to a day of fun, leisure activities in Jerusalem. The excursions took place on Thursday, January 1st, and today, and were organized by the Jewish Agency in partnership with the Jerusalem Municipality.
The day started off at the Wailing Wall, where the youngsters were greeted by Zeev Bielski, Jewish Agency Chairman and Nir Barkat, Jerusalem Mayor.
Later, the children toured the capital, visiting the Biblical Zoo, the Tower of David and the Nature Museum, where they enjoyed a number of interactive activities. The day ended with a performance by renowned singer Ivri Lider.
The children, who came from Sderot, Lachish, Ashkelon, Shafir Local Authority, Yoav Local Authority and Eshkol Local Authority, enjoyed lunch and received a gift to remember the day.
Alizka Yarden, Director of Kalanit Absorption Center, pointing to windows
shattered from the missile, Thursday
Absorption Center Staff Provides New Immigrants Crisis Counseling
Missile falls near Kalanit Absorption Center in Ashkelon
On Thursday, January 1st, Jewish Agency Chairman Zeev Bielski visited the Kalanit Absorption Center in Ashkelon only minutes after a missile from Gaza had landed close by, shattering several of its windows. He met with the staff at the absorption center, who provide the new immigrants from Poland, Russia, North America, Latin America, Ethiopia and Georgia with a warm, caring framework and guide them through these difficult times.
Staff members instruct the new immigrants how to act in times of emergency, organize activities for the children in the bomb shelters and connect them with their families abroad through video conference calls.
Jewish Agency Chairman with staff at Kalanit Absorption Center