An amazing kaleidoscope of different types of people, religions and walks of life, Jerusalem is a world within a world within a world. A concentration of history and a declaration of the future. A mosaic of contrasts where holy and secular coexist, where modern architecture and contemporary malls are a few minutes walk from exciting archeological finds. A Talmudic tale states that in messianic times the walls of Jerusalem will expand to fit all the Jews of the world. Likewise, today’s Jerusalem is unique in her ability to combine many worlds.  It is more then a physical reality. In Jerusalem there is a place for each of us.

General
With a population of over 660,000, Jerusalem, in addition to being Israel’s capital is also her largest city, as well as home to the Israel Parliament (Knesset), Government Ministries, Supreme Court, Chief Rabbinate and official residence of the President of Israel and Prime Minister.  Many International associations and Jewish Organizations and Institutes are located in Jerusalem, adding to the city’s centrality, both throughout the Jewish people and the world. Situated in the heart of the country, high in the Judean hills, Jerusalem has developed from an isolated, divided city under siege to a full-fledged modern metropolis.  At her core is the old city whose four religious quarters and stone- walled frame contain the essence of the spiritual and cultural mosaic of this exquisitely colorful city.

Education
As diverse as its population, the Jerusalem education system offers a variety of options.  With an unusually high percentage of children numbered among her population, the Jerusalem education network includes extensive day care, nurseries and kindergartens as well as a highly advanced elementary school system. For every age group, a range of religious and educational philosophies, from ultra-orthodox to secular and democratic to experimental, are available.  The gamut is broadened as the children get older, extending to a large range of high schools offering specialties in technology, arts, sciences, pre- army, business and computers.  For the post- high school student, the city boasts probably the most extensive choice of institutes for religious studies. Internationally renowned universities and academies are also abundant adding to an atmosphere of serious study.

Employment
No longer just the spiritual and intellectual center of Israel, Jerusalem today is an international forerunner in a broad spectrum of fields including medicine, tourism, biotechnology and hi-tech and offers an infrastructure and extensive network in these, as well as other areas.

With two large, advanced technological industrial parks including:  hundreds of hi-tech companies, three outstanding university and research hospitals, the center of Israeli Government activities and offices, scores of hotels and tourism services, an extensive educational structure on a broad variety of levels and philosophies, a host of malls, businesses and consumer attractions and continuous building and municipal development, Jerusalem is in a position to offer many employment opportunities.  No longer singularly portraying the image of the bespectacled, book-laden intellectual, Jerusalem of today, is the legacy of a broad range of blue and white-collar workers.

Culture and Services
Jerusalem’s development has included every aspect of life, and offers a variety of museums, parks, restaurants, festivals and cultural events.  Enhanced by surrounding forests, numerous green areas, parks, extensive municipal gardening and upkeep, Jerusalem provides many outdoor, aesthetic attractions. She additionally meets the leisure and cultural needs of a variety of tastes, backgrounds and preferences. Many professional sport facilities are available, among them new stadiums, fields and centers where a variety of activities including soccer, basketball, tennis, swimming, an assortment of martial arts, fencing and athletics are taught and practiced.  Jerusalem is home to an extensive list of theatres, orchestras, dance troupes, bands and galleries, and hosts many fairs, parades, sports competitions and cultural events throughout the year.  An extensively developed network of Municipal and private extra curricular activities, courses and workshops are available for children, youth and adults in the capital.

Religious Life
Including the most extensive variety of religious communities and services anywhere, Jerusalem is truly the Jewish center of the world.  From ultra-orthodoxy in its many variations, to modern orthodox, reform, conservative, traditional and progressive communities, Jerusalem has an abundance of residents religiously committed in some shape or form.  The spectrum of synagogues and classes, rabbis and students, experiential and study options is plentiful.  

Although Jerusalem clearly has a religious tone, a major effort is made to balance the needs and rights of all the capitals religions, nationalities and residents.

Medical Services
A comprehensive assortment of medical services, meet the health needs of the Jerusalem population and surrounding area.  Medical Centers of the four major health funds, together with local neighborhood clinics and mother and baby- care clinics provide the daily basis for the network.  Hadassah Mount Scopus, Hadassah Ein Kerem and Sha’arei Tzedek, three internationally known medical centers, serve the more extensive needs.  Additionally, all three Centers are University hospitals with long established medical and nursing schools, that continually contribute to the medical and research level of the city.  Both in the private and public spheres, dental clinics are plentiful as well as a variety of alternative medical options.  Magen David Adom is available all year around, offering immediate and emergency medical care to Jerusalem’s residents.

Neighborhoods and Geographic Location
Today, Jerusalem spreads over more then 42 square miles of hills and valleys combining the stark whiteness of the bordering Judean desert, with the surrounding forests and greenery of the areas natural and revived flora.  Situated 800 meters above sea level, her famous beauty is derived both from her geographic location and her unique building style, of Jerusalem stone.

The city has separate neighborhood units managed by an elected neighborhood administration overseeing the educational, cultural, religious, consumer, medical, community and social services of its residents.  Community centers and sport and cultural centers can be found in every neighborhood.  They supply a variety of workshops, classes, music, sport, art and cultural activities for the local population of all ages. Jerusalem residents benefit from enjoying most of the day-to-day services in their immediate neighborhoods, while still being able to take advantage of the broader services the city has to offer.

Absorption Assistance
The city of Jerusalem is part of the new Communal Aliyah Absorption Project – Better Together – Aliyah V’Klita Kehilatit.  This pilot program is designed to provide the new oleh with a supportive framework, professional guidance and financial assistance in all aspects of immigration and absorption. Benefits provided by the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, the Jewish Agency and the Jerusalem Municipality to project participants include:

• A professional project coordinator who will assist project participants in all aspects of their absorption during the first year.
• Initial temporary housing for a two-week period at a local apartment or Jewish Agency Absorption Center at no cost.
• In addition to the regular Ulpan Aleph (Initial Ulpan), further ulpan hours will be offered to program participants. 
• Students will receive subsistence allowance if studies take place during morning hours.
• Job search assistance.
• Assistance in finding suitable housing.
• Financial rental assistance for housing for the first six months.
• Special assistance for employment training or retraining for a period of two years from aliyah.
  Subsidy for private business initiatives.
• Special assistance for olim children in the school framework including tutoring and Hebrew lessons.
• Municipally arranged social and cultural activities, which include lectures, trips, educational seminars and programs.
• English-speaking host families to assist in the absorption process.
• Additional local discounts for special programs or activities.
• Exemptions in the Arnona Municipal Tax for the first year.
   

For additional information please contact:

Israel
Elana Diner
Tel: 057-8746449, elanad@moia.gov.il

North America
Gila Gurevich - Communal Aliyah Absorption Program – Director
(P) 212-339-6951   (F) 212-318-6134 gilag@jafi.org