Dear Friends,
Last week, Israel celebrated its 56th year. For the young immigrants at Ibim-San Diego Student Village who recently received their Israeli citizenship, the commemorations and festivities were particularly moving. We made the passage together from Memorial Day remembrance to Independence day parties, and each of the students put their hearts into each event. |
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Israel Television's Independence Day broadcasts featured a clip on Ibim including an interview with two of our students – Victor from Latin America and Yelena from the FSU. As part of their interview, Victor and Yelena were filmed as they went to Jerusalem for a special audience with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
This month, we had the pleasure of hosting two visiting groups from San Diego – a Women's Mission and youngsters from the community.
We look forward to more visits.
Warm Regards,
Soni Singer and the Ibim Staff
Down and Dirty
Current realities require Israel to keep a strong military force. In a country so small, that translates into a necessity for broad-based participation. Our young immigrants recognize that either before or after their university studies, they too will become part of that national effort. For immigrants who have not grown up with parents, siblings or relatives who have served in the IDF, or particularly for those who are accustomed to a different national military, an initial acquaintance with the IDF is the key to grappling with something that they will confront at some stage in the future. The IDF Gadna program, an introduction to the army for Israeli high school students, now offers a five-day track for young immigrants.
Students from Sela (FSU), Kedma (Ethiopia) and Atid (Latin America) recently returned from five invigorating and challenging days in the field with Gadna instructors. They lived in tents, ate "army food" and got a taste of an experience that will become central to their lives.
Despite the heat and the difficult conditions, the reports from the students were enthusiastically positive. The instructors were impressed by the highly motivated students, and by their spirit of cooperation and teamwork.
Young immigrants from Ibim Student Village participating
in the five-day IDF preparation seminar.
Visiting Day for Kedma
On Stage (l-r): Singing together; students perform for their parents.
Most of the young immigrants from Ethiopia participating in the Kedma program came to Israel with their families. While the Kedma students have successfully met a challenging academic schedule and an intensive introduction to Israeli society, their families who live in absorption centers around Israel are experiencing a slower pace of integration. The parents were invited to Ibim to see for themselves what their children are doing, where they are living, and to meet the staff who care for them on a day-to-day basis. A hearty meal was followed by a ceremony with Israeli and Amharic music, kudos for everyone and presents for each student to mark the beginning of the second semester of the Kedma program.
Holiday Hiatus
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In Eilat for the holiday
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During the Passover break, 51 Ibim students packed their bags and took a long ride through the desert down to Eilat for fun, work and to celebrate Passover. With the imposing red peaks of the Eilat Bay as a backdrop, the students sat together for a Passover seder, most for the first time in their lives. They returned tanned, relaxed and ready for the intense energies needed to complete the rigorous academic final stretch of the program.Towards the end of the month, Independence Day offered another cause to celebrate and Ibim students were invited to share in the evening festivities of the neighboring town of Sderot. On Independence Day, 120 students were treated to a day of fun in an amusement park in Rishon LeZion. |