1,300 young immigrants in the Sela, Atid, Kedma and TAKA Programs residing at Jewish Agency Absorption Centers throughout Israel visited Masada this week for the first time since their arrival in Israel. They climbed the mountain via the Snake Path and heard the story of this site in their own language at its peak.

As evening descended, they watched an audiovisual presentation dramatizing the siege of Masada and the story of the Zealots, who chose to take their own lives rather than surrender to the enemy.

This experience is one of a series of educational events for young people, demonstrating Jewish heroism and continuity throughout the history of our people. Participants arrived in Israel recently from the FSU, Western countries (France, the UK, the United States and Latin America), Ethiopia and other countries and are enrolled in various Jewish Agency programs that prepare them for IDF service, higher education or employment. We hope that the parents of these young people will soon join them in Israel.

Sivan 5763 - June 2003