93% of olim satisfied

New survey concludes that aliya for N. American Jews is much less daunting than previously thought.

By OREN KLASS
french aliya 88 (photo credit: )
french aliya 88
(photo credit: )
The aliya process for North American Jews is a much less daunting ordeal than previously thought, according to a new survey. Representatives of 402 households with 1,464 members who made aliya during the 12-month period from the beginning of September 2004 until the end of August 2005 were polled. The survey was conducted by Dr. Mina Zemach of the Dahaf Institute and was coordinated by the Jewish Agency. Approximately 93 percent of the interviewees expressed a high level of satisfaction with their absorption in Israel, while 74% said they would recommend making aliya to others. The amount of economic assistance offered to olim was a critical factor in ensuring a successful aliya, participants said. Some 80% of olim said they received substantial assistance in making aliya from government ministries, the Jewish Agency and Nefesh B'Nefesh, while 84% said they received some assistance. Despite the encouraging numbers, a crucial aspect of the aliya experience remains the ability of the oleh to find steady and satisfactory employment. Only 28% of the interviewees said they were satisfied with the help they received in finding jobs. Of the 43% who said they work in Israel, 42% work part-time and 58% work full-time. Forty percent said they were employed outside of their profession, while 45% said they were either searching or planning to search for employment.