Jewish Agency Employment Coordinators dealing with new immigrants in the Southern District were introduced to job opportunities in the Dead Sea Region at a first-of-its-kind Coordinators' Conference held this week.

The Conference began with a tour of the Hotel Caesar at the Dead Sea that is beginning to show signs of recovery as summer approaches. Hotel Personnel Manager, Asher Cohen, offered marvelous hospitality, noting with pride that the hotel's personnel complement includes a significant number of graduates of the Arad Technological College Hotel School. "The school is an excellent source of training," he explained, "imparting commendable professional skills in hotel service and hospitality."

For the first time, the Coordinators became aware of occupations in demand in the Region and the hotel industry in general. "Today, there is a demand for masseurs and spa attendants throughout Israel," noted Mira Shriki, Spa Director at the Novotel Hotel, who accompanied the Coordinators on their field trip.

After touring the Dead Sea, the Coordinators met with Shmuel Pfeiffer, Director of Ridman College in Arad, who described the College's courses in spa treatment, complementary medicine, Chinese medicine, naturopathy, massage, nutrition, etc., noting that these courses are especially suited for immigrants and may be offered in their native languages.

The tour concluded at the Arad Technological College Hotel School, a regional training center, where visitors not only gathered information but also enjoyed an especially tasty gourmet meal, charmingly served by future chefs whose motto is "The art of cooking is the art of life." Hotel School Director, Avishai Feital, described training opportunities and courses offered.

Hila Zahi of the Arad and Dead Sea Region Development Corporation demonstrated how business ventures may be combined with professional studies. When developers strive to fulfill a dream, they work hard, overcome obstacles and eventually establish remarkable enterprises.

This successful field trip culminated in a visit to the Niche, managed by Avi Yom Tov, who succeeded in restoring the breath of life to a business that had kept changing hands for years. His success is partly due to his having graduated the Arad Hotel School program for chefs and partly to the business consultation services provided by the Arad-Tamar Economic Development Unit.

Despite the difficulties arising during a period of economic crisis, recession and unemployment, we are beginning to see signs of revitalization and initiative, granting us patience, instilling much hope for the future and putting the smile back on our faces.

Sivan 5763 - June 2003