December 2007

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You are here :		Aliyah & Absorption		Publications		Ibim Newsletter		December 2007

Aliyah Application Form

December 2007, Volume 56

Dear Friends,

On the eve of 2007's close, 34 new citizens joined the State of Israel. On December 30th, these 34 Selah students from the FSU residing at Ibim celebrated together with the entire Village staff.

We are currently preparing to celebrate a decade during which the generous and warm-hearted community of San Diego has loyally and generously accompanied us. We are in the process of locating Ibim graduates and are sending out questionnaires. We hope to meet everyone together along with representatives from the San Diego community in the summer of 2008 at Ibim. Time is short, the task is large, but we truly believe the goal is worthwhile.

LeHaim. Selah students raise their new Israeli identity
cards in a toast to a new year.
Despite the fact that the security situation has not improved, we are preparing to absorb two groups of new immigrants from Ethiopia over the next two months - an additional one hundred residents at Ibim.

On this note of new beginnings, I wish you a happy New Year, even better than the last.

Best Regards,
Soni Singer and the entire staff of
the Ibim-San Diego Student Village

Selah students, now Israeli
citizens, performing in celebration
of both their new status
and the culmination of
an exciting year of challenges
and changes.

Learning to Celebrate Differences

Language, skin color, family structures and cuisine are only a few of the traits which could potentially divide Israel's extraordinarily diverse population. As Israel's new student immigrants become more and more integral parts of the society, a recognition of and respect for the immense differences which define Israel is crucial. Through activities, simulation games, specially-designed board games and a lot of ice-breaking at a two-day seminar, new immigrant students are exposed to the many facets of Israel. By forming personal ties, egregious stereotypes can be erased before they develop. The idea for an integration seminar, developed at Ibim five years, has developed into a nationwide program, involving hundreds of students. Ibim students recently participated in a seminar held in the north, returning with a deeper understanding and tolerance for those from different backgrounds.

At an "Integration Seminar" held in the north of Israel, Ibim students of every ilk met with new and veteran immigrants, as well as Israeliborn peers. They learned to work together, play together and dispel preconceived notions.

Going back some 3,000 years

The eagerly awaited Jerusalem Seminar was held for Ibim Selah participants on December 18th. Less than a week after Chanukah, during which the students learned of the dedication of the Temple by the fierce and devoted Maccabeans over 2300 years ago, they saw the enormous stones of the Temple Mount with their own eyes. This year the students spent part of the day working on the renowned archeological site in the City of David, now a primarily Arab neighborhood of Jerusalem. The city of David was the city David captured 3,000 years ago and which he eventually made into his capital which was to expand and become the city of Jerusalem under his son, Solomon.

For more information about Ibim-San Diego Student Village:
Contact Soni Singer, Director, SoniS@jafi.org

Tuesday 06 January, 2009

יום שלישי י' טבת תשס"ט