The document discusses the First Home in the Homeland program which helps new immigrants settle into life in Israel by living on a kibbutz for up to a year. New immigrants receive support from kibbutz members as they learn Hebrew, acclimate to Israeli culture, and have their basic needs met. Living on a kibbutz provides a safe and communal environment to help new immigrants transition to life in Israel.

1. “Living on a kibbutz
definitely makes settling
into Israel a lot easier.
Especially when members
of the Kibbutz give us so
much support and make
us feel really at home.”
- Beverly Jaffe, new immigrant
from South Africa
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The Jewish Agency is funded by The Jewish Federations of North America, Keren Hayesod, major Jewish communities and
federations, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, foundations and donors from Israel and around the world. First Home in the Homeland

2. First Home in the Homeland A New Life:
The First Home in the Homeland program is real-life in
real-time for new immigrants. With plenty of open space for
holidays. Here they quickly acclimate to the new social and
cultural norms of Israel.
Kibbutz Style
children to play, excellent facilities, a communal, laid-back An ideal program for new
lifestyle, a safe environment and a warm social network of After the first six months, program participants have the
new immigrants and Israelis, acclimating to life in Israel is option to stay on the kibbutz for an additional six months. immigrant families and singles
made easier. At this time they can continue on to a more advanced ulpan
level, take part in a regional vocational or retraining course from all over the world to start
Families and singles live on the kibbutz, while studying in a or find employment on the kibbutz or in the surrounding
nearby intensive Hebrew language course (ulpan) that also
their life on a pastoral kibbutz
area. Upon completion of the program, there is the
features social and cultural activities and trips and hikes option to stay on as residents of the kibbutz or apply for in the Galilee or Negev as they
throughout the country. The kibbutz aliyah coordinator permanent membership. There is also a new option for a
assists with registering children for school, joining the Health group of families and friends to make aliyah and live on a realize the pioneering dream
Fund, opening a bank account and streamlining the entire kibbutz together. and strengthen Israel’s national
absorption process.
For the past few years, the Jewish Federation of Palm priority regions.
New immigrants participate fully in kibbutz life, speak Springs and Desert Area has been a major donor of the
Hebrew with the kibbutz residents and are adopted by a program in the south of Israel.
kibbutz family, spending time together and celebrating