The Shavei Israel organization is committed to being involved in the important task of promoting Aliyah to Israel.
There are three main populations that the organization is working with in this regard. Shavei Israel also sees the initial absorption as an important part of fostering aliyah, in addition to the crucial preparation and learning done in their home country as an important aspect of the initial absorption process.
Bnei Menashe
Members of this community emigrate to Israel by government decision. Shavei Israel sends emissaries and rabbis from the Bnei Menashe, as well as rabbis employed by the organization with the approval of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, who give lessons on Judaism, tradition, Israeli holidays and everything related to the spiritual arena.
In addition, the emissaries teach and prepare aliyah candidates for life in Israel, including explanations about the health system, social welfare, elementary education, academic education, social security, employment services and options in Israel, the proper use of money and more.
We also send teachers to India to teach Hebrew to aliyah candidates, a protocol of lessons has been developed through the “Zoom” app in recent years, and many of the lessons are also delivered remotely.
The teachers also teach Israeli cultural songs and dances.
Within the first few months of their immigration, the organization opens an absorption and conversion center for Bnei Menashe immigrants, funded by the Ministry of Absorption, and within three months all immigrants complete the conversion process.
The conversion period is relatively short because the Bnei Menashe have lived as a religious Jewish community for many years and, thanks to the efforts of Shavei Israel, they arrive almost completely ready for the conversion process. From among the members of the community, only those who have been examined by the rabbis and recommended as ready for conversion come.
After three months, they change their status in Israel.
Even after leaving the absorption center and moving to permanent housing organized in coordination with Shavei Israel, the Absorption Ministry and the local authority, the Shavei Israel organization continues to help and accompany immigrants in learning the Hebrew language, education, health, welfare, employment, social security, and everything necessary for a better absorption.
Subbotniks
The organization has been working for many years for the aliyah (immigration to Israel) of the Subbotnik Jews from Russia. Only in the middle of 2022 did a massive aliyah of Subbotnik Jews begin. In 2022 as well as in 2023, to date about 140 people have immigrated to Israel and we believe that by the end of the year more will immigrate.
Shavei Israel employs an emissary who works with the Subbotniks in Russia and who explains to them about life in Israel. He goes over all areas of life and describes the places that will receive them. All preparation for immigration is done in coordination with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Absorption.
When the immigrants arrive in Israel, Shavei Israel continues to assist them in all the areas they’d received guidance on in Russia, purchasing electrical equipment for theirapartments and accompanying them in the first years of their immigration.
Bnei Anousim
Shavei Israel helps the Bnei Anousim (Conversos) from Latin American countries who are entitled to immigrate to Israel to make aliyah, and also helps them undergo conversion to Judaism when they arrive in Israel at our conversion centers.
The organization employs an emissary in Colombia who works in all the Anousim communities in South America.
The organization operates conversion centers for Bnei Anousim, takes care of preparing them for aliyah and accompanies them in their first steps in Israel.
Conversion institute for English Speakers
Recently the organization opened a conversion class for English speakers. The class was approved by the Rabbinate which supports its operation.
Apart from the conversion topics studied, Shavei Israel deals with the preparation for aliyah both in the religious and social fields.
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