Volunteering with new immigrants

Program participants

During this process, it is not uncommon for the olim to feel lonely and alienated. IDF lone soldiers, for example, who come to Israel on their own, often chose to stay on the army base for Shabbat, as they have no relatives with whom to stay. This typically remains the case for several years.

Pairing families

The idea behind the program is very simple: to ‘couple’ Israeli and veteran immigrant families with new olim, either families or individuals. The Israeli family accompanies the olim and offers them support as they take their first steps in Israel.

Ukranian and Ethiopian olim

The Israeli side in each pair helps the newcomers overcome the hardships that stem from their aliya. Using their knowledge and network of friends and acquaintances, they help the olim deal with Israeli bureaucracy, find work and solve housing problems.

Common backgrounds and interests

The program has regional counselors in every town who locate and recruit families. Several group meetings between olim and Israelis, where the families have a chance to get to know each other, take place before the final ‘pairing’.

Nationwide social program

Babait Beyahad offers Israelis an opportunity to volunteer and become involved in the absorption process of new olim. The program is also a nationwide social project aimed not only at helping the immigrants’ absorption, but also at bridging social gaps and promoting aliya among relatives of the new olim. The Israeli families also benefit from their exposure to new cultures and expanding their social network.