By Koen Carlier and Anemone Rüger
While parents are often bound by various obligations and grandparents find it difficult to leave their familiar surroundings even during times of war, it is usually the young people who look ahead and take the leap to Israel.
The Israeli immigration authority, the Jewish Agency, has developed two special programs for this purpose: "Na'aleh" and "Selah." Our CSI team in Ukraine offers Jewish youth logistical and financial support so they can realize their dreams.
Konstantin fled the Black Sea city of Berdyansk, near Mariupol, with his wife and two children last spring. Because he refused to work for the Soviet occupation forces, the family had to leave everything behind: their apartment, a successful business, and all their possessions. They found refuge in the Jewish community of Belya Tserkov, near Kyiv. Shortly afterward, Konstantin underwent serious cancer surgery, which was financed by Christians Standing with Israel (CSI) . But his son Yegor is already living in a new future – in Israel, made possible by CSI donations and the Israeli youth immigration program "Selah." CSI paid for Yegor's necessary paperwork and arranged transportation for several dozen Jewish youths from central Ukraine to the selection process in western Israel.
“We are so grateful to you!” said Father Konstantin from his hospital bed. “You have proven yourselves to be a true family!”
Glad I made the right decision
Semjon also took the plunge and moved to a new culture. His single mother, Tatjana, did what she could to support them both on her disability pension. But now she's happy she encouraged her son to emigrate to Israel. "Young people are so well looked after there in Israel," says Tatjana. "They learn to organize themselves, to build a life for themselves. They have a real future. When I see my son now, I'm incredibly glad I made the right decision!"
The demanding Na'aleh program enables Jewish teenagers aged 14 and older to earn their high school diploma in Israel. The Selah program is aimed at 17- to 21-year-olds from the former Soviet Union who already have a high school diploma and wish to continue their education in Israel. Most of these young people integrate so well into Israeli society through these intensive programs that they remain in Israel after completing them, pursuing higher education or performing their military service. For many families, they are the pioneers – after two or three years, their parents and siblings join them.
Can you help us invest in the future of these young people? Every donation helps!
