Two Absorption Centers in the North – Kiryat Yam and Carmiel – have taken direct hits from Katyushas. Fortunately, none of the olim nor the Absorption Center staff were hurt. The olim were all safely guided into the bomb shelters as soon as the sirens sounded and as a result none of them were injured. There is damage to the property of the Jewish Agency and we are working hard to restore the facilities.

With the help of our partners abroad, we are taking care of all the needs of the olim in the shelters and trying to make life as bearable as possible for them, during this most difficult time. We are installing ventilation and air conditioning systems in the shelters, and are keeping the children entertained with a wide variety of activities that are also meant to reduce their anxiety.

I want to take this opportunity to again thank the workers of the Department, who have joined this national effort, and in particular our valued workers in the North who are working day and night to protect the olim and provide for all their needs.

In addition to its ongoing work, the Global Center has been serving as a "hot line" for all enquiries from the entire northern region and reports that the operation “Putting Children at the Center” has been a great success. This project is intended to help the families living on the Confrontation Line.
It has brought children from the North and the areas bordering on the Gaza Strip, to summer camps in the Center of Israel. Furthermore, the Global Center is connecting between families in the North and families in the Center of the country who are willing to host these northern residents. During this time it is also serving as an address for fundraising and donations.

Amazingly, the tense situation and fighting in the North has not interrupted the efforts of Tnuat Aliyah to promote aliyah. This week, a group of 50 parents of participants in the Selah and Naaleh programs and of students studying in Israel, arrived in Israel from the Former Soviet Union in order to examine the possibilities of aliyah.
A number of young adults who are volunteering in the Magen David Adom Volunteer Program in such places as Carmiel, Kiryat Shmoneh, Tiberius and Haifa, have been transferred to Jerusalem.

About 600 young adults from the West are currently in Israel on various programs, such as the Professional Internship Program, Magen David Adom, Marva and Lahavot (Fire- fighters), and have decided to stay in Israel, despite the situation. Together with them, we have taken the initiative of making contact with most of their parents abroad, in order to calm them and hopefully reduce their concerns.

This week we began developing a project for Volunteers from Abroad, together with the Israel Department. The aim is to bring volunteers to Israel who will help out both in Confrontation Line communities and in Absorption Centers, that need immediate assistance. We expect a large number of volunteers from abroad, and are currently in the process of identifying needs and facilities that require volunteers.
Last Thursday, we organized a fair to offer programs to 4,000 youth who came to Jerusalem as part of the Israel Experience.

To conclude on a very positive note: In spite of the security situation, two special flights from France, bringing 650 new olim, landed in Israel this week, and were  greeted by the Prime Minister, and other dignitaries. This is the first time in decades that such a large number of olim from France arrived in Israel on the same day. 500 of these olim arrived on a special flight from Paris and another 150 from Marseilles. As always, the Department for Immigration and Absorption was there to meet them and to help them through the initial absorption process.
In addition, olim from North America are continuing to come on the special flights we have coordinated with Nefesh b'Nefesh.
 
I will continue to update you as the need arises and once again, on behalf of all of us here, we greatly thank you for your support.

Yair Redl

Acting Director
Department of Immigration and Absorption