SA olim homed in seaside Netanya apartments

Dozens of recently arrived new olim from South Africa have been welcomed into their first home, a new Amigur Golden Age residence overlooking the sea in Netanya. 

The olim migrated to Israel recently with the assistance of the Israel Centre SA, Jewish Agency, and Israel’s ministry of aliya and integration. 

Ofir Sofer, the minister of aliya and integration, and Major General (res.) Doron Almog, the chairperson of the Jewish Agency, met the olim at the Sol and Lillian Goldman Golden Age Home this week, where 60 South African olim already live. The national project, led by the Israeli government and the Jewish Agency and implemented by Amigur, includes 325 housing units in a 25-storey tower. 

The olim, couples in their 60s, arrived just days after landing to move into their apartments and receive a comprehensive support package including Hebrew studies and cultural activities, at a symbolic cost of approximately NIS 350 (R1 800) per month. 

Since the beginning of the year, 21 900 olim have arrived in Israel from 105 countries. The Jewish Agency says aliya files have been opened for about 30 000 Jews worldwide, including hundreds from South Africa.