New start in Israel
Photo: Reuters
Helping new olim get started
New, young, olim, are in need of an outlet to promote their professional success in Israel. Non-profit Gvahim organization offers them help
Due to a shrinking global economy, low employment rates in America and Europe, and the birth of many Israel program opportunities, the rate of new young olim to Israel has begun to noticeably increase in the last year.
The growth of the Taglit-Birthright program which has brought over 200,000 young people from 52 countries around the world to experience Israel has encouraged many to go back and live in the country for a longer amount of time. MASA has also played a large role in recruiting young Jews by offering 6 months to 1-year internship placement programs in almost every job field.
Obstacles
Josh Lichtenstein
This is the story of an American Jewish couple who decided to come to Israel despite the financial insecurity involved in the move. But they say that financial dilemmas deter many others from making aliyah
Students and graduates are applying to come in record numbers and about one third of those who attend end up making Aliyah. Aliyah is a big and wonderful decision that has many joys as well as obstacles; one being to find a job that successfully integrates the person into a productive member of Israeli society.
A Gvahim workshop
Enter Gvahim. Gvahim is a new not for profit association that offers qualified graduates from foreign universities the tools and resources to find jobs that fit their qualifications and utilize their talents within the Israeli marketplace.
Since its creation in March of 2006, Gvahim has helped 230 individuals find good jobs in Israel. All individuals are graduates from top universities in Europe or North America. Gvahim resources include professional workshops, individual support, and meeting with a human resources professional.
Benefits of networking
In a conversation about the motivation behind the project, Gvahim director, Mickael Bensadoun says, "They, (young olim) are the new pioneers, they are the new Zionist and they will change the country if we know how to connect between them and the Israeli society."On the one hand, we thought we should do everything possible to make sure that the Israeli economy fully benefits from the skills and experience from highly qualified olim. On the other hand, we believe it is our duty as veteran olim to help highly qualified olim to fully integrate into Israeli society, not only professionally, but socially."
Networking is available mainly in the fields of industry, technology, finance, consulting, marketing, and communications. Workshops offered by Gvahim cost NIS 250 and give an overview of the Israeli marketplace, meetings with Israeli business leaders, and visits to Israeli companies. While the workshops do cost money, to be a member of the online site is free.
Speaking about the language barrier issue, Bensadoun says, "While Gvahim participants don't need to speak a fluent Hebrew, we very much encourage them to reach an excellent level of Hebrew because it is a must to succeed professionally in Israel. We want them to be immersed in a Hebrew speaking environment from the start."
High success rates
Success rates have been high for Gvahim with 77% of participants finding a job that suits their qualifications in Israel within 6 months of making Aliyah. The remaining people have turned to studying or are still looking for work. Gvahim is not an employment agency and does not find people jobs, but rather teaches people how to find the right job for them in Israel.Because the Israeli economy has stayed relatively stable despite the financial recession in the US, many young Jews are now redefining what they want to do and where they want to settle down and make their lives. Gvahim’s mission is to continue this trend and ensure that individuals who make the leap to move to Israel have the opportunities that they deserve.
