Programs: New Israeli Citizens
Israel 101
Successful absorption into Israeli society depends upon providing strong language, cultural and academic support, and also on exposing young immigrants to Israeli society through visits to sites of national and historical importance. Every year, as part of its absorption enrichment programs, Yemin Orde gives the children the opportunity to experience their new homeland through trips to museums, theater performances, and other cultural events around the country.
The Etgar
The Etgar (Challenge) is a three-day hike “from sea to sea” that is undertaken by the seniors of Yemin Orde at the beginning of the twelfth grade. As one group, the entire class hikes from the Sea of Galilee to the Mediterranean Sea and the younger children of the Village greet them back at Yemin Orde. Each year, the Etgar reinforces the sense of camaraderie, cooperation and belonging for the graduating class of Yemin Orde. After three very tough days of walking, it also gives each student a tremendous sense of achievement and pride - in themselves and in their country
Shv’ut Am
This unique pluralistic and humanistic conversion program was developed to deal with the acute problem of Jewish identity that is prevalent among immigrant youth, primarily from the Former Soviet Union, who had entered Israel under the Law of Return but were not considered halachically Jewish. Today the Shv’ut Am Program operates nationally serving both Russian immigrants as well as thousands of Falashmura immigrants from Ethiopia. In 2004, the program was adopted by the IDF as the model for the army’s new conversion program, Nativ. The goal of these programs is to enable young immigrants to enter Israeli society as fully participating members, proud of their complete Jewish identity.