At the end of June the students from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia completed the SELAH Science and KEDMA programs. The newcomers celebrated with an impressive and festive end-of-term party as they looked back on a successful year, which was rich in endeavor. The marks received by the students were very high and almost of them will start academic or vocation training studies in October, or volunteer for the IDF.

The fact that over 90% of the SELAH Science students will undertake university or college studies, or the mechina academic preparatory program bears testimony to the high level of the immigrants. The KEDMA students achieved impressive results and showed an enormous motivation. 75% of the Ethiopian born newcomers will move on to the Sapir Negev Regional College and other academic institutions while the remainder will enroll in vocational training programs.

The past year has been a busy one for the students who studied Hebrew, Judaism, Jewish history, Zionism, science and English. The students also took enrichment courses in recycling. Equally as important was the harmonious cross-cultural connection, which developed between the students on the two programs, which included personal relationships between the Ethiopian and Russian-speaking immigrants.

Nitzana Director David Palmach summed up another very successful year of immigration and integration of young adults. "Nitzana from its inception targeted the initial integration of young new immigrants as one of its central goals," he said, "and over the years we have accumulated extensive experience in such integration programs. SELAH has now been running for seven years and KEDMA for two years and at the end of every year we can see the fruits of our labor. In another month or so we'll start taking in another group of SELAH and KEDMA students."

"We have developed a wonderful partnership with the Jewish Agency's Immigration and Absorption Department," he added, "and are immensely grateful for the ongoing support of the Allied Jewish Federation of Denver. The strong human connection and warmth and love that have developed between the Denver and Boulder communities and Nitzana's new immigrants is an important factor in developing the Negev and community and partnership building."

Tamuz 5763 - July 2003