November 9, 2008 / 11 Chesvan 5769

The Jewish Agency Babait Beyahad / At Home-Together program renewed its activity at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem at the opening of the new academic year.

Student team leaders, who operate the Babait Beyahad / At Home-Together program, opened a recruiting booth in the area of the university on November 2, the first day of studies. His honor, the President of the State of Israel, Mr. Shimon Peres came to visit the booth and met with teams of veteran Israelis and immigrants who had participated in the program in previous years.

Mr. Peres expressed a great deal of interest in meeting with the immigrants and was very moved to see them. The immigrants were very excited to meet the president and tell him their personal stories.

Sarah (21), made aliyah from Mexico a year and a half ago and finished the year's preparatory course for students from abroad at the Hebrew University.  She plans to begin studies in social work at Haifa University. Sarah immigrated to Israel on her own and joined her older brother who lives in Jerusalem.  In the framework of the Babait Beyahad / At Home-Together program, she formed a relationship with Israeli born Itiel (25), who is beginning his second year in business administration and geography.

Orit (23), a new immigrant from Chile, told the president about her immigration to Israel without her family and about the special relationship that she developed with her partner, Matti Diaz, via the Babait Beyahad / At Home-Together program. Orit immigrated to Israel a year and a half ago and is beginning her second year in political science and international relations. During her studies, she is also counseling Jewish groups arriving to visit Israel such as birthright and other groups from Latin America. Orit and Matti spend quality time with each other, go hiking together, cook together and assist each other linguistically, each one in her native tongue: Orit helps Matti with Spanish, and Matti helps Orit with Hebrew.

The president chatted with Orit, congratulated her on making aliyah and wished her success in her studies and absorption in Israel.  For Orit as well, this was a unique experience and she hurried to telephone her family and report about the distinguished visitor.  Her mother was extremely impressed.

This was a special day for program participants and the joy that was sensed in the air only intensified when it turned out that about 80 students had registered for the program and that's only for starters!