In 2022, because of the Russia-Ukraine war, more than 58,000 immigrants arrived in Israel from regions impacted by the conflict. Approximately 5,000 of these immigrants were elderly individuals, many of whom came to the Jewish State alone, with no real family support as they faced challenges in adapting to a new environment, culture, language and more.
To aid these seniors, The Jewish Agency launched the Choosing Tomorrow-Embrace pilot program in Karmiel to train and pair young adults with elderly newcomers to Israel, with participants acting as a “bridge” for the absorption of Olim (new immigrants). The initiative is generously supported by Christians for Israel: CVI Netherlands and CSI Germany.
Choosing Tomorrow is a leadership development program for students in Israeli colleges, combining leadership training with social activism and community awareness. With the specialized Embrace program, students who are first- or second-generation olim themselves and have witnessed at home the difficulties of absorption support others going through the same thing.
Nicol, 26, is a Russian speaker who is studying politics, philosophy and economics at Open University. She decided to participate in Choosing Tomorrow-Embrace because she wanted to help those affected by the war and thought it’d be really meaningful to help olim acclimatize to Israel.
“My parents came from Russia to Israel 30 years ago and growing up, they would tell us about their Aliyah journey,” explained Nicol. “While their experience was not as difficult as it is for these elderly newcomers, they still faced many challenges and I felt compelled to help these seniors and do for them what no one did for my parents.”
In the pilot from 2022-23, 12 students volunteered for a total of 1,200 hours with 47 olim, helping them one-on-one as well as in group events. Through the program, Nicol was paired with and gave guidance to two older women who had come to Israel alone, striving to make their lives easier and alleviate their feelings of loneliness.
“Some of the elderly in the program had left everything behind except for a shopping bag or two of their belongings. And now they have to learn how to make doctor appointments, do banking here, navigate bureaucracy…” Nicol said. “I think having a student caring and supporting them for a whole year, and of course, we are still in contact with them even after we are assigned new people going into the second year of the program, was really helpful for them.”
Daniel, 26, who studies electrical engineering at the ORT Braude College of Engineering in Karmiel was also a participant after learning of the opportunity through his college. Daniel’s parents immigrated from Ukraine to Israel in 1991, so he speaks Russian too and understands the challenges facing these elderly immigrants.
“My parents shared about their struggles in acclimating to the language, bureaucracy, just everything in Israel so I wanted to help others. And I thought about my grandparents who are in Israel but asked myself if they were to immigrate now, who would help them?” shared Daniel.
Daniel worked with three elderly people and one man in particular he has continued to keep in touch with closely and the senior knows he can reach out to Daniel for anything. Being part of the program has been very impactful for Daniel and he plans to continue to participate in Choosing Tomorrow-Embrace and also got his girlfriend, who immigrated to Israel a few years ago, to commit to the next cohort.
“With Choosing Tomorrow-Embrace, I truly feel I am not only helping elderly immigrants become more self-sufficient but creating a sense of community in Karmiel for them – and for me too – through real connections,” added Daniel.
