Ariel University’s Center for Research on Aliyah has released its Aliyah Risk Calculator, a tool that aims to measure the obstacles and resources that new immigrants face when moving to Israel.
The calculator, which takes 15 minutes to compute results, takes both individuals and families into account. Specific family features are pinpointed that make it more likely that families will have an easier time adjusting after immigrating, including the social, financial and educational backgrounds of the family.
An individual can be placed in one of three risk categories that provide insight into the circumstances surrounding the risk, and offering recommendations for those who are considering moving to Israel.
“The final score and interpretation should assist potential immigrants to Israel in making an informed decision about aliyah – and will help in developing a clear plan of success if the decision to move to Israel is made,” said Dr. Avidan Milevsky, director of the Behavioral Sciences Department at Ariel University.
Earlier this week, the Aliyah and Integration Ministry launched a mental health helpline for new immigrants.
It will be staffed five days a week from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., with mental-health experts providing their services free of charge in English, Russian, Amharic, French and Spanish.
The new service comes against the background of the coronavirus crisis, which has generated higher rates of unemployment among new immigrants, and has cut olim off from their families abroad. Jeremy Sharon contributed to this report.