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Mizrachi and Young Israel

Launch Exciting New Initiative

Rabbi Yossi Goldin

ne of the most exciting stories in Additionally, the network allows for the communities to have a smooth and suc-
Medinat Yisrael today is the phe- creation of a large, united, communal cessful integration into Israeli society.
nomenon of kibbutz galuyot – as front to better address the needs of olim.
Omore and more Jews choose to Through their partnership with the
make the move to Eretz Yisrael. Through Rabbi Aharon Herskovitz, Rav of a grow- Mizrachi-Young Israel Shuls Network,
Habayta will welcome four Anglo olim
the help of Nefesh B’Nefesh and other ing community in the Kiryat HaSharon
wonderful organizations, it is easier than region of Netanya, Kehillat Shevet Achim, communities to their program – Kehillat
Hashiveinu in Ramot, Kehillat Ahavat
ever to make Aliyah – and each year, more is excited by the creation of this shul
families heed the “call of the generation” network: Shalom in Caesarea, Kehillat Mishkan
Shilo in Ramat Beit Shemesh, and Kehillat
and return home. Statistics show that in “One of the hardest challenges for olim is Carmei Tzion in Carmei Gat – beginning
the years 2021 and 2022, there was a sig- the feeling of being different, which can
nificant increase of olim from the USA and overlap with a sense of being alone: here September 2023. This pilot program will
provide these communities with much
Canada, with 2021 almost doubling the without extended family, in an unfamiliar
numbers from the previous year. culture and social framework. Commu- needed guidance and support, while also
offering crucial funding that will enable
As more and more Anglo families make nity helps provide a lot of framework that the shuls to increase the programming
Aliyah, existing olim communities continue people are missing, but it can sometimes and services provided to their members.
to grow exponentially – and new olim com- feel like these communities exist as an Following this initial phase, the plan is to
munities are being established across the island unto themselves. A connection then expand this wonderful opportunity
country. With the exceptional rise in these with other communities would greatly to many more Anglo olim communities in
numbers, the needs of these communities strengthen the feeling of belonging among 2024 and beyond.
continue to grow as well. our community members.”
“We are thrilled that Kehillat Ahavat
In order to assist these communities, These sentiments are shared by Rabbi Shalom has been selected to join the
World Mizrachi and Young Israel in Israel Yehoshua Felberg, Rav of another rapidly exciting Mizrachi-Young Israel Habayta
are partnering together to establish the growing community in Harish: initiative to engage and support olim in
Mizrachi-Young Israel Shuls Network. “Together, we can do more, by giving olim our region,” exclaims Dvora Corn, a found-
Launched at World Mizrachi’s World a collective voice and support structure ing member of Kehillat Ahavat Shalom.
Orthodox Israel Congress in April 2023, and by ensuring those who come up to “We believe that our relationship with
this network brings together olim com- the Land have a successful Aliyah, spiritu- Mizrachi-Young Israel and Habayta will
munities from across Israel, enabling ally and physically. The network will help strengthen Ahavat Shalom to enable us
the communities to connect and support olim to strike deep roots and realize their to reach out beyond our kehillah, and also
each other through the sharing of expe- goal – building a secure future for them strengthen the cohesion of the growing
riences, programs, and ideas. Dedicated and their families in the homeland of the Ahavat Shalom community.”
WhatsApp/email groups for rabbis, reb- Jewish people, Israel.”
betzins, and shul lay leaders have been
created to enable conversation and pro- One of the first initiatives undertaken
vide crucial support regarding common by the Shuls Network is an exciting part-
areas of challenge and achievement. nership with Habayta, an organization
These platforms also serve as vehicles for founded in 2009 whose goal is to support
Mizrachi and Young Israel to develop and the building of successful olim communi-
share programs and initiatives for the ties in Israel. Their “Kehilot Mechabrot”
benefit of these communities. Planned program currently works with over 30 olim Rabbi Yossi Goldin
future programs include yemei iyun and communities across the country – con- is Director of Young Israel in Israel, Branch
training programs for religious and lay sisting of olim mostly from France, South Coordinator for NCYI, and heads the
leadership of the communities, as well as America, Russia, and Ukraine – provid- Shuls Department at World Mizrachi. He
joint community programming aimed at ing guidance, support, programming, is also Israel Immersion Coordinator and
Placement Advisor for YU/RIETS in Israel.
connecting communities with each other. and financial assistance to enable these

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