How can we reinforce the Olim’ sense of belonging in the Israeli-Jewish life
A supportive community is one of the secrets to the survival of the Jewish people. Supportive communities facilitate a deeper connection and easier integration. At Habayta, we understand that for many of the Olim (Olim), the community is like a family. We also believe that a profound self-identification with the Jewish people and Israel begins in the closest and more personal circles. To this end, we have been operating for over 10 years according to a special model that we developed and implemented. Our model emphasizes the importance of preserving the cultural character of the Olim’ country of origin while integrating them with Israeli qualities and values; of practical tools for optimal integration into Israeli society; and above all, of daily contact with the community and connection between people. Our primary concept is our network of Olim communities, the only one in Israel that comprises dozens of communities that speak various languages – from Safed in the north to Arad in the south. With each community serving as a strong foundation of connection and voluntary activity. Looking for a community for you and your family? Look no further. Join us. Welcome home!
Lessons, lectures and workshops | Education and information tours of Israel, the Bible and Zionism | Help and assistance with government ministries and authorities | Emotional and professional support | And more
WHAT WE DO
A unique IDF preparatory course for youth and parents | A business club for Olim – innovative tools for business owners and entrepreneurs, and assistance with networking within the community and between communities | A COVID 19 call center that provides information and assistance for Olim in five languages | Professional services by qualified therapists who offer support in times of crisis | and more
LOCATIONS
FAQs
First of all, you are most welcome, and we are very happy with the initiative!
To establish a community you need to gather people and find a local member who will serve as community coordinator (if you can’t find one, we will help find a suitable candidate). Then, you must fill up forms and read the brochure that explains the way our communities work and what is required of a community to be part of the Habayta organization.
You may contact Nathaniel Rotenberg, director of the communities’ project, who will meet with you and explain the process and requirements.
We are the largest, ever-growing and only network of repatriate communities in Israel, recognized by the authorities, providing each community with a bundle of content and financial assistance that includes, among other things:
Training and guidance on how to establish a supportive and active community, membership in the national coordinators’ forum, study and training days, seminars and sabbaticals, financial aid for the activity and financing of the salary of the coordinators, various cultural activities around holidays and life events, lecturers in different languages, assistance and support for repatriates and more.
Not necessarily. We make it a point to be a community network of repatriates and for repatriates! Religiosity is an issue we don’t want to get into. Habayta’s network consists of communities that define themselves as secular, as religious, and some as ultra-Orthodox.
There is a tendency in Israeli society to categorize people, to label them, which is exactly what drives people away from each other and makes it difficult to live together. We make sure to steer away from this and define ourselves as an Israeli network of repatriate communities. Our goal is for everyone to feel at home.
We make it a point to accommodate everyone’s needs, so that anyone will feel at home. Hence, we seek to establish activities based on common Jewish elements that will suit anybody. For example, on Shabbat there may be members who come to an activity with their phones or by car, but we will still observe certain confines of Jewish law: we will not play music or cook food on Shabbat, and the food will be kosher. If a certain community wishes to pray and hold the service, this will be done according to an accepted version so that everyone can feel comfortable and at home – even members who observe the Shabbat.
