The Immigrant organizations play a vital "home away from home" role in the initial stages of absorption, from the first welcome at the airport, through the entire "first steps” of Aliyah, employment counseling, social activities, financial assistance, housing and educational guidance, and professional services, otherwise not within the reach of a new immigrant to this country. The intimate relationship between the organizations and its immigrants is constantly redefined and adapted to the needs of the groups.
The Main services provided by the Immigrant Associations in Israel:
* Welcoming immigrants at the Ben-Gurion airport
* Constant communication with the immigrants through phone conversations
* Defending immigrant rights in the governmental committee of immigration and absorption
* Financial help for the needy
* An ongoing contact with the welfare authorities in Israel and abroad
* Supporting children and parents to children studying in the Israeli education system
* Referring immigrants to potential job offers and professional training
* Trips directed to familiarize the country and various lectures for self enrichment
* Accompanying immigrants and supporting them through their dealings with bureaucracy
* Special activities for the holidays
* Representing immigrants in government offices
* Teenage and adult community centers, containing libraries with books in the immigrant's mother tongue
* Enabling communication between immigrants and immigrant candidates from the community at the country of origin
* Seminars for strengthening the Jewish identity
* Distribution of newsletters in the immigrant's mother tongue
* Free legal advice
* Granting student and soldier scholarships
* Activating Emergency phone lines in case of national stress
* Social activities to help get familiar with Israeli society
* Operating a mortgage and loans fund for immigrants
Various projects, some of them partially funded by the Jewish Agency, are undertaken by the immigrant organizations in answer to specific needs of the olim. The following is just a sampling of the many projects undertaken in 2006:
"Alternative forms of income generation" – development of home-industry cooperatives and training courses for companions to the elderly
"From Oleh to oleh "- veterans assisting new immigrants
"Law and legislation " – information regarding Israeli law and legislation
" Holocaust survivors together with new immigrants " – new immigrants assist Holocaust survivors and keep them company
"Contact groups" – interaction with Israeli counterparts
All olim organizations are involved in Ba'Bayit B'yachad, information-sharing and more. Due to budget cuts, the short-lived, but successful central employment service was cancelled, despite placement achievements even at the height of the recession.
There is little doubt that, as individual organizations and a collaborative group, the Olim Organizations play a vital role in promoting Aliyah, preventing Yerida and smoothing the path to Israel-orientation of the people who come from such a variety of backgrounds.
