Highly motivated and dedicated to the State of Israel, these immigrants are at a considerable disadvantage when compared to their Israeli peers. Their Hebrew language skills are minimal; they suffer from a lack of familiarity with the norms and nature of Israeli society; lack economic stability; and at the same time, are thousands of miles away from their families' financial and emotional support systems. Additionally, consequences of the recent war resulted in economic despair for many immigrants: having to serve in the army meant canceling summer jobs that served as the main source of their income. The IDF is unable to pay immigrant soldiers the wages they lost as a result of their service.
Jewish Agency Response
In response to these unique needs, the Jewish Agency, based on its success in supporting immigrant soldiers through the Fund for Immigrant Soldiers Alone in Israel and other innovative programs, seeks your support to:
- Provide specialized financial assistance to those who have served in the recent war
- Expand the Jewish Agency Keshet program that brings parents of new immigrant soldiers to Israel to visit with their children and learn about their lives in Israel, including tours of aliyah facilities and options and army bases.
Detailed Description of Program Components
1. Financial Assistance for New Immigrant Soldiers Who Served in the Recent War
Providing financial assistance to new immigrant soldiers who have made aliyah since 1999 and served as either active or reserve soldiers during the recent war, demonstrates our gratitude and support for their dedication and determination toward upholding our Jewish, democratic state.
Assistance will include:
- Living subsidies of approximately $550 to cover monthly rental or mortgage payments
- Gift cards worth approximately $450 for purchasing essential personal items at some
of Israel's best-known department stores, including H&O, Best Buy, Steimatzky, Ricochet Camping & Outdoor Equipment, Office Depot and HomeCenter.
For more information, click here.
2. Reuniting Parents with their Children: Keshet
Keshet brings parents of immigrant soldiers to Israel for a weeklong emotional reunion. The visit addresses both the parents’ need to visit their children who have so selflessly opted to serve in the IDF and the soldiers' need for the warmth and support of their families following their recent difficult 
service. In the recent hostilities, some of the wounded were lone immigrant soldiers. For them, the loving support from their family at their side would grant an incredible boost to their recovery.
We need your support to expand funding for Keshet in order to bring the parents of the 800 lone immigrant soldiers who served as reservists or active soldiers during Israel's recent war in the North.
The cost per individual parent, including flight, lodging, activities and all travel expenses is $1,200.
For more information, click here.
Funding Request
Your partnership of $5,000,000 will demonstrate support and appreciation for immigrant soldiers as they return to their new lives in Israel. We counted on them to keep our country safe– now they are counting on us.
Photo Credit: Shlomy Ben Ami / Naftali Hilger