ISRAELI COMMUNITIES SEEKING CONSERVATIVE OLIM

As aliyah from North America continues to increase, new frameworks are being developed to accommodate different kinds of lifestyles.

The Jewish Agency has now identified two target cities for North American Conservative aliyah: Raanana, in the greater Tel Aviv/Gush Dan area, and Ramat Ishai, east of Haifa. The idea is that in each of these two communities, the local Masorti congregation, together with the local government, would work to facilitate the absorption process, providing both physical and spiritual support, in a manner similar to that being provided South American olim by the Masorti congregation in Kiryat Bialik. Efforts would be made to work with each family going on aliyah to help integrate that family into their Israeli community, to offer guidance negotiating the needs of everyday living and to help secure employment.

In addition, two other kinds of options are being offered for those interested in rural life. First of all, Kibbutz Hannaton, the only Masorti kibbutz in Israel which is located in the lower Galilee, is inviting Conservative olim either to join the kibbutz itself as members or to build a private home in the community being developed adjacent to the kibbutz, where residents will be able to participate in kibbutz activities and utilize kibbutz facilities.

Secondly, Sharoshim, a Masorti community settlement in the Western Galilee, is welcoming new families into its egalitarian, pluralistic community. Located five minutes from Carmiel, Shorashim comprises 55 families, half of whom are native-born Israelis and the other half are olim, including many English speakers from North America and England. Started in 1980 as a collective settlement and privatized in 1992, Shorashim is proud of its high-quality community life, including an excellent day care, TALI-sponsored nursery school and kindergarten, NOAM youth group and Masorti synagogue.

For more information about these programs, please contact the Conservative Movement shaliach at shaliach@mercazusa.org or call 212-533-7800 ext 2021.