Tel Aviv Twinning
Two young Tel Aviv couples out on the town -- one Israeli born and the other, brand new immigrants from France. Babait Beyahad chalks up another successful match.
“I had always volunteered here and there, as an aside,” explains Keren Elyakim, an Israeli Air Force captain. Since participating in Alei Tzameret, Keren now views “volunteerism as a way of life.” Alei Tzameret, or the Jewish Agency’s “Young Volunteer Leadership Program,” is a year-long course training young professionals to take leadership roles in volunteer work.
“As part of the course, we went to the Absorption Center in Kfar Saba and learned the saga of immigration today -- how many, from where, and the difficulties involved in immigration. We also learned about those that just never make it and return. I suppose I had never particularly thought about it, but I was very moved by the bravery of these people; leaving everything they know to come to a new country. They are really the pioneers of today. Although we aren’t expected to volunteer until after the course is over, I felt compelled to get my feet wet and acquaint myself with someone so moved by Israel that they leave everything familiar and move here.”
Keren and her husband Shachar, a software engineer, were paired through the Babait Beyahad program with Laurent, also an engineer, and his wife Julia, fresh immigrants from France. Laurent had studied at the Technion for a year on an exchange program about six years ago, and was determined to come back to Israel to live.
“Shachar didn’t need much convincing to embark on this adventure,” smiles Keren. “He grew up on a moshav in the Arava, where his parents were among the founding members. He is well acquainted with the spirit of giving to community and country. But to sweeten the pot, he and Loren, both engineers, hit it off right away. “We just spend time with them,’ says Keren. “They are a lovely couple and I feel privileged to have met them. A few weeks ago, we went to Tel Aviv’s “Taste of the City” together, with offerings from hundreds of restaurants. They are going on a visit to France next week for two weddings and Julia needed a new dress. We went shopping and I showed her all my favorite stores in the city. Laurent and Julia are looking for an apartment in Tel Aviv, so last Friday night, they came to dinner and we invited a friend who is really up on the real estate market.
“Look, I’m sure Laurent and Julia will be able to make it financially; they are a resourceful couple. But what Shachar and I have to offer is a social circle of Israelis and local connections which makes all the difference in getting by, be it in finding a good real estate agent or a women’s dress shop or a nice doctor. They left language, family, culture and custom to help build this country. It is the least I can do.”