A Magnificent Adventure

At the Beit Canada Absorption Center in Ashdod, immigrants begin one of the most challenging adventures of their lives.

"Aventeur Magnifique" is how Henri Hassid, describes his aliyah. A 53-year old widower, Henri's only daughter just began her first year on the Na'aleh high school program at Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu. As he shows us her photograph on his mobile phone screen, he sighs. "She is a big Zionist, my daughter. She insisted on coming here." Henri, who was musical director at a recording studio in Paris, has his own plans. "I have more than ideas, I have a vision": a gala concert in Ashdod showcasing all the different immigrant groups; creating a larger cultural nexus for young people in Ashdod; and music and stage performances of every kind. He understands however that he must begin by learning Hebrew and mastering the ins and outs of conducting business in Israel. France is in "my past," he claims, but admits to missing "my friends, my artists, my privacy and my soirées." But all will come with time. The adventure has just begun.

"People can be particularly vulnerable during this period of transition, but with proper care, and focused support, they will leave Beit Canada with the inner strength and confidence to begin a new life." - Sima Tzarfati

Not only does Beit Canada Director Sima Tzarfati greet each immigrant in his or her own language, she proceeds to carry on intimate conversations, rambling on easily in Spanish, French, English, Russian and Portuguese. Born in Spanish Morocco, Sima's family made aliyah when she was three years old and settled in Ashdod. She lives in the neighborhood of her childhood, a short stroll from Beit Canada, and can navigate Ashdod blindfolded.

A social worker by profession and vocation, Sima regards the individuals whose first stop in Israel is the absorption center as part of larger communities - of Beit Canada, of Ashdod, and of Israel. "Our first commitment is to the individual, to attend to his or her physical and emotional needs; we have a tremendous, dedicated professional staff and many volunteers. But the individual cannot be divorced from our surrounding community. We are involved in the city of Ashdod and the Ashdodians are involved with us." As she speaks, a Portuguese-speaking couple who settled in Ashdod years ago, walk into Beit Canada carrying bags of holiday offerings for a new immigrant family from Latin America with few resources.

Determined to Make It

Roberto (standing, ctr) with soccer enthusiasts. (l-r): Tony from Uruguay, Fernando from Argentina, and Alex from the Caribbean. Roberto, who had volunteered as a soccer coach for years, decided to become accredited as a coach in preparation for his aliyah. A week after his course concluded, Roberto moved into Beit Canada. "I had to be realistic about what I could do in Israel." And what he plans to eventually do is open a soccer school. Of course soccer schools already exist, but there are lots of children, lots of sunshine, and Roberto has a lot of determination to succeed.

A tan, fit Roberto Kalmar from Buenos Aires spends almost every afternoon on the grass outside the Absorption Center blowing his whistle and offering gentle advice on soccer strategies in Spanish and stilted Hebrew. "Playing soccer is a fantastic chance for the kids here to release their energy," says Sima. "After all, we have over fifty resident children, and children from the neighborhood have started to join in as well." Roberto had owned sports-related businesses in Buenos Aires, but "it all fell apart during the economic crises." He describes his time at Beit Canada as "one of the best of my life. I am very touched that people have taken such an interest in my welfare."

Beginning A Life

Having grown up in a very assimilated family, Sarah Koenig Bellaiche is eager to learn more about Judaism and plans to continue her ulpan on a religious kibbutz. When fluent, she would like to study midwifery, and meanwhile will pursue classes in Flamenco dancing.

Lowering her sapphire blue eyes for a moment, 22-year-old Sarah Koenig Bellaiche from Strassbourg admits to avoiding the company of French speakers in the Absorption Center. "I want to speak only Hebrew," she smiles as she meets our gaze again. "At first it was disconcerting to have such a mishmash of languages and cultures, but now I totally enjoy it. "Sarah went on the Birthright program last year and subsequently came to volunteer on the Sarel ( Volunteers for Israel ) program. Aside from the beach, what she really likes about Ashdod is the feeling of safety. "In Strassbourg, groups of skinheads roam the streets. I have never been directly attacked, but I just don’t feel safe. In Israel, I feel safe, whole, and more at one with myself."

After two months in Ashdod... Mauricio Bustamente likes "the beach, the marina, the nature reserve, and particularly the very cosmopolitan and very Jewish atmosphere in the Absorption Center."

With curly black hair and a small earring adorning the center of his chin, Mauricio Bustamente easily passes for a veteran Tel Avivian. "I was born here, and when I was only a few months old, my parents went back to Chile. My father never reconciled himself to the return and all my life I felt that this is the place I should live." Mesmerized by the spirituality of Jerusalem, while gravitating to the energy of Tel Aviv, Mauricio, "feels good in Israel." Having earned his living as a bartender, a sound engineer and a sculptor, he wants to study art when he finishes the ulpan at the Absorption Center.

"We feel as if we have crossed the seven seas," says Bombay-born and bred Joseph Solomon, who recently made aliyah with his wife Regina and their two children. "For my entire life I have prayed, 'next year in Jerusalem,' and now that we are here, I can sense the holiness."

Dressed formally, the Solomons, originally from Bombay, on on their way to the brit of an Israeli relative. Guided by faith, the Solomons "came to the unknown, and by the grace of God, we have been so lucky. The staff treat us with care and respect, our neighbors in Beit Canada are pleasant. Yet of course, ultimately it is up to us to make a good life in Israel." Joseph worked as a sales and marketing executive in India and Regina as a nurse. They are eager to learn Hebrew and retrain or become licensed accordingly.

Although the children have settled in school, Joseph is a bit uncomfortable with what he feels is lax discipline, but "Ashdod is peaceful and comfortable. I have a synagogue nearby, and a cricket team for my fourteen-year-old son."

Wagner and Marisa Carvalho Simberg.

A petite smiling Marisa Carvalho Simberg walks in with small bowls of a sweet rice pudding topped with cinammon. She is busily preparing this traditional Brazilian dish for the Immigrant Arts Festival that same evening. Co-sponsored by the Jewish Agency, the Ashdod municipality and the Ministry of Absorption, the Fair is an extravaganza featuring music, art, and food in dozens of booths along the main square of Ashdod. "It gives the new immigrants an opportunity to showcase their talents and it gives the residents of Ashdod an opportunity to appreciate them," says Sima.

Marisa and her husband Wagner made aliyah from Sao Paolo in the wake of their teenage daughters. "When our two daughters notified us that they were going to register for study programs in Israel, we were stunned, but

Jacob Barnet from Palm Beach Florida spent four months on a high school NFTY program last year. He was sold on Israel and returned last summer with the Nefesh B'Nefesh program which helps North Americans make aliyah.

soon moved into practical mode." Once in Israel, the girls went off to school and Marisa dove into the social and cultural life at the Absorption Center. The Simbergs have been matched with a veteran Ashdod family through the Babayit Bayachad ( At Home Together ) project. They have helped Marisa and Wagner make potential employment contacts, as well as hosting them regularly for Shabbat and festival meals. Wagner's parents (part-owners of the Sao Paolo Jewish newspaper), his three siblings and their families will have made aliyah by the end of the year. Inspired by two teenagers, the Simberg clan is beginning a true family adventure.