The Senior Division for Community Absorption is responsible for integrating new immigrants into Israel's culture and society. The Division operates in conjunction with such bodies as the local authorities, regional councils, immigrant associations and organizations, community centers, volunteer organizations, the information center, youth movements, the Joint, the kibbutz movement, the Jewish Agency, and others. These organizations receive assistance for operating projects associated with immigrants in community absorption areas.


Description of Issues Handled by the Senior Division of Community Absorption:

 Local government - the Division assists in the operation of social and community projects that operate in towns with large numbers of immigrants. Both the Ministry and the local authority are partners in the projects, and the projects are approved by a steering committee within the community with participation of the immigrants. Allocation of funding to the authorities is subject to transparency and equality regulations.

 Organizations and Associations - financial support is available for organizations and associations that function within the Division. Assistance is provided through the Ministry's Support Committee, which meets once a year and makes decisions based on the criteria for providing support that is published in the records, and subject to the approved budget framework for that budget year. In addition, assistance can be obtained through public committees to determine the designation of estates left to the country. Organizations receive guidance and professional assistance from division employees.

 Hebrew language ulpan – the Division regularly participates in formulating policy and in taking responsibility for establishing Hebrew ulpan programs (Ulpan A), in conjunction with the Ministry of Education and the Jewish Agency, including vocational ulpans and second chance ulpans.

 Culture basket for ulpans – the ulpan framework offers a special culture basket designed  to familiarize new immigrants with the country -  trips, lectures, seminars, and holiday and special events.

 Jewish Identity – promotion of community projects designed to expand knowledge in areas associated with Jewish identity and fostering the immigrants' sense of belonging by reinforcing Jewish awareness.

 Informal Education - the Division is involved in informal education activities for immigrant children and young adults.

 Special Groups - special attention is paid to the needs of immigrants from the Caucus region, Bucharia, and Ethiopia in activities of informal education (the PELE Project), and preservation of their cultural heritage, while absorbing them into cultural and community life. Special attention is paid to Argentinian immigrants living in locations where there tend to be large numbers of this group.

 Special Projects - projects set up on an ad-hoc basis, or long-term projects that are adjusted subject to Ministry policies.

For example cultural integration programs, acquisition of books for public libraries, seminars on culture, enterprises, etc.


Target Populations Receiving Services from the Unit

All immigrants residing in the community and who immigrated since November 1989.

Special attention is given to the following groups:
 Children and young adults in informal education frameworks.
 Young at-risk immigrants.
 Children and young adults who immigrated from the Caucus region, Bucharia and Ethiopia.
 Immigrants studying in ulpan "aleph" and in supplementary ulpan.
 Officers and soldiers serving in the IDF.
 Candidates for IDF conscription.
 Families of soldiers.
 Immigrants in crisis, distress, or at risk.
 Single-parent families.
 Elderly immigrants.
 Immigrants with disabilities (in compliance with the Law of Equal Rights for Disabled Persons 5759 - 1998.