Arina, a Ukrainian refugee, in Israel | Photo: The Jewish Agency for Israel

Arina, 21, fled Kharkiv, Ukraine, with her 17-year-old sister, Lada, in February 2022, days after the country’s war with Russia began. They traveled to Lviv and from there, crossed the border into Poland, where they were immediately assisted by staff on the ground at The Jewish Agency’s transit center in Warsaw, who helped them get to Israel. ​​Once in Israel, Arina and Lada were housed at The Jewish Agency’s Karmiel Absorption Center and enrolled in a special five-month absorption program for young immigrants from Ukraine who arrived during the war.

“Starting over again in a foreign country is scary, but life at the absorption center is heaven,” shared Arina. “The staff take care of all of us and provide for us. I know my future is in the Jewish state and I’m so grateful to be here.”

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In 2022, Bruce Leboff of Toronto, Canada, traveled to Poland to see how The Jewish Agency was assisting Ukrainian refugees in making Aliyah, and welcomed Ethiopian immigrants to the Jewish State when the first Operation Zur Israel II flight touched down at Ben Gurion Airport. A Keren Hayesod donor, Bruce enjoys visiting Jewish Agency absorption centers in Israel and meeting olim, coming away from those experiences feeling impressed by the newcomers and the support they receive.

Bruce Leboff is a member of The Jewish Agency’s Board of Governors and Chair of the Aliyah Committee as well as a member of the World Executive and Board of Trustees of Keren Hayesod

Eduard, 22, from St. Petersburg, Russia, is a resident at our Ye’elim Absorption Center in Be’er Sheva, having made Aliyah in September 2022, and is grateful to the staff for easing his transition to life in Israel.

“I always dreamed of immigrating to Israel and felt that this was the right time for me. The atmosphere and energy in the absorption center is very good and pleasant. And more than that, I’m really satisfied with the staff here, from the teachers to the assistants. They are doing everything to support us and make us feel at home here,” said Eduard.

In light of the surge in immigration to Israel in 2022, The Jewish Agency is preparing to operate a new model of “open absorption centers,” where young olim will live in the same apartment building while receiving community support services.