Na’aleh 16
Youth Immigrating in Advance of their Parents
Na’aleh was a wonderful adventure for us”, says Larissa, who came on the first Na’aleh 16 group from Kishinev, Moldova. “Our parents were wary of sending us to a new country alone, but they believed that we would have a better future in Israel. We arrived in Israel and finished our high school studies with excellence. This paved the way for us to truly become part of Israeli society. Most of our parents followed us and made Aliyah.
Na’aleh- a Hebrew acronym for Youth Immigrating in Advance of Parents- was first established in 1992 by Israel’s Ministry of Education and Culture, at the request of parents who sought a way to send their children to Israel in a supervised educational framework. It’s an ideal way for teenagers from the FSU to leave their native land and continue their education in Israel.
The 2-3 year program allows participants to complete their secondary school studies in Israel, with an Israeli matriculation certificate that will enable them to continue their academic education. The goal is for parents and other family members to eventually join them in Israel.
Keren Hayesod, in cooperation with the Jewish Agency for Israel, is responsible for recruiting Na’aleh students in the FSU, bringing them to Israel, and funding their living expenses during their first two years in their homeland. The general administration of the program is carried out by the Ministry of Education and Culture.
During the course of the academic year, students take part in challenging enrichment courses and cultural activities. This is designed to enhance participants’ sense of belonging in Israel and to facilitate their successful adjustment.
In the summer vacation following their first year in Israel, the students travel to the FSU to visit their families, courtesy of the Na’aleh program. In some cases, parents are invited to visit their children in Israel instead.