Big family

Most of the current immigrants – as the immigrants call them in Israel – come either to close relatives who help them settle in a new place, or go through an ulpan-kibbutz (school and home): they work in a kibbutz and at the same time study Hebrew. This is the so-called First Home Home program. Those kibbutzis who participate in the program receive some benefits and material assistance from the state – the state pays for the temporary residence of new emigrants.

All returnees arriving in Israel are entitled to the so-called “absorption basket”. Absorption is a takeover, but in Israel, newcomers are “absorbed” very humanely: in this basket there are various kinds of cash benefits, tax benefits, loans for renting and buying apartments, paid education, legal advice and retraining courses. Baskets for those arriving at the kibbutz are the most “weighty”. Continue reading →