A Presidential Salute

Immigrant soldiers, their mentoring families and a
number of individuals who were honored for their
outstanding voluntary work in immigrant absorption
were all treated to a visit and moving ceremony at
President Katzav's official residence in Jerusalem.

"I am known as a lone soldier, but I am not alone." Thus Stanislav Lazarovitch opened his speech at an annual ceremony hosted by Israeli President Moshe Katzav. The gathering reflected a graceful convergence of many elements of immigrant absorption: supporting soldiers and youth, fostering the involvement of Israeli society in absorption, cultivating and recognizing volunteer efforts, promoting aliyah and nurturing the next generation of community leaders. Stanislav, a soldier and a student at the Nativ Jewish Studies Institute, spoke with heartfelt candor about his experience of coming to Israel alone and enjoying the warm embrace of individuals and institutions as he forged his way towards being a full part of the Jewish nation in Israel.

Rainbow of Emotions

Thirty-five of the lone soldiers attending the ceremony had the pleasure of being accompanied by their parents from the Former Soviet Union who were visiting them under the auspices of Immigration and Absorption Department's program, Keshet (Rainbow). Thousands of teenagers and young adults have come from the FSU to participate in long-term Jewish Agency programs. Most come knowing that Israel will be their future, and not knowing when they will see their families again. Time and financial constraints can keep them separated for years.

Keshet, an ongoing program which reunites IDF soldiers with their parents who remained in the Soviet Union has brought hundreds of families together, was sponsored this Spring by the Philadelphia Jewish community. The grateful and excited parents get the opportunity to share in a part of their children's lives for a few days. The children, who have been living independently, get a few days of TLC from Mom or Dad as they show them their newfound adult lives. The parents are also given every opportunity to examine aliyah options for themselves and a good many have decided to seriously consider immigration.

We're all in this together; Mentoring families and Jewish studies

An additional thirty-five lone soldiers were in attendance accompanied by Israeli families who act as mentors under the auspices of Babait Beyachad (At Home-Together). Soldiers with mentoring Israeli families enjoy home-cooked dinners on Friday nights, someone to wash their uniform and a little bit of special attention. On a very personal level, the young soldiers can enjoy creature comforts, a shoulder to lean on, and the warmth of a family. The mentoring family has the opportunity to expand its horizons by welcoming a new immigrant into their home. On a national level, a more connected, caring society ensures more productive citizens.

Also attending the ceremony were immigrant soldiers studying in Nativ, the Jewish Agency's Institute of Jewish Studies. This two month intensive course on Judaism and Zionism for immigrant soldiers launched by the Jewish Agency and the Israeli Government provides many soldiers with their first serious exposure to their Jewish heritage, and an opportunity to continue on to conversion studies. Stanislav confirms that the program inexorably links the soldiers with the values and life cycles of Israel.Ten Ethiopian soldiers, some of whom immigrated without their parents directly to the Kedma program, also took part in the ceremony. The Kedma program prepares young Ethiopian immigrants for higher education in Israel, and many of its graduates choose to fulfill their army service prior to and as further preparation for university studies.

Honored to Serve

At the forefront of the many volunteer initiatives are individuals who have demonstrated competence, compassion and commitment. Yakir Klitah is an honorary distinction for service in immigrant absorption. The military personalities receiving the national award this year and the soldiers themselves attending the ceremony are both indicative of the inroads immigrant absorption institutions have made in the army - the heightened awareness and the commendable cooperation. Six individuals, all selflessly contributing to immigrant absorption, from the Negev to the Galil were awarded certificates for their voluntary efforts.