The goal of the Absorption Center is to help integrate and prepare olim for independent living within Israeli society.

Background
The Sapir Absorption Center is located in Kiryat Yam, a small town in the Haifa Bay district in Northern Israel. Founded in 1976, Sapir is situated on the beach in proximity to the promenade, and enjoys a view towards the city of Haifa, Akko and Nahariya. 20 minutes north of Haifa, the largest city in Israel, Kiryat Yam is part of the the Krayot group Kiryat Haim, Kiryat Motzkin, Kiryat Bialik and Kiryat Ata, that make up suburban Haifa.

Families reunite at the Sapir Absorption Center

The Center is centrally located and in walking distance to all major services, such as: health clinics, a post office, schools, parks, day care for children, shopping centers, a market place and local district offices.

Accommodations
The center comprises 120 housing units of various apartment sizes. A few years ago, it underwent major renovations and today has a capacity of 300 residents, in pleasant and well-maintained living conditions. Basic appliances and furnishings, including beds, closets, refrigerator, stove, chairs and tables, are also provided. Upon arrival, new immigrants are welcomed with basic food provisions for their first days.

Parents and children from the Jewish Agency Absorption Center in Kiryat Yam read their new books during "My First Library Project."

Public facilities at the center include a large children's playground, a playing court for sports, offices, classrooms, clubroom, computer room, a video conference room, a library, games corner and a sitting area with benches in the courtyard.

Activities and Special Projects
The The Center provides activities for both adults and children. For adults this includes Hebrew studies, conversion classes, seminars, community activities, workshops on parenting, employment, consumerism and trips and Israel.

Activities for children focus on educational reinforcement and enrichment in subjects such as Jewish customs, festivals and Israeli culture. In addition, they have sports, drama, music, day camps, trips and more. Activities are geared towards the different stages of absorption and assisting olim in becoming familiar with their new surroundings.

Special Projects
Regional Ulpan - Sapir Kiryat Yam serves as the regional Hebrew study center for immigrants from all over the world, offering the Ethiopian residents an interesting opportunity to meet and socialize with other new immigrants.

Home Center Project - Workshops on maintaining a home in Israel are offered by Home Center staff. They guide new immigrants on solving technical problems in the household and give advice on general upkeep.

Parenting Skills - Mothers of day care age children participate in a workshop where they are taught important parenting skills, in cooperation with the Kiryat Yam municipality and the Family Health Center.

Empowerment Workshop - Groups of youth are empowered and experience endurance and positive self-esteem through challenging bicycle-riding trips.

Health and Hygiene - Personal hygienic instruction as well as its importance for maintaining general health and disease prevention is taught to adults in the center.

Employment Network - Emphasis is placed on assisting the immigrants to locate appropriate employment, the absorption Center staff works closely with government and local employment agencies towards this goal.

For Children
Mentoring Club - A special Mentoring Club takes place in the afternoon hours for the center's children and provides strengthening in schoolwork and homework assistance.

Educational Reinforcement - Extra reinforcement in Hebrew and Math studies is available for children and youth.

Preparation for First Grade - Readiness class for first grade for preschool children prior to their entering school

Summer Camp - A yearly summer day camp is held for the center's children and combines crafts, performances, hiking and general activities in cooperation with local volunteer groups.

Bar Mitzvah - The center offers Bar Mitzvah preparation classes during the Bar/Bat mitzvah year.

Staff
A dedicated and professional staff is responsible for the care of the new immigrants and for the daily running of the Absorption Center. The staff consists of a director, administrative assistant, head of education and culture, social worker, housemother, counselors and volunteers.  A 'Home Together' Jewish Agency project coordinator works with the families during their stay at the center.