Russian-speaking Aliyah

What We Believe In

Since its foundation Nitzana has centered the value of “Kibutz Galuyot” (Ingathering of the exiles) at the heart of its efforts for the Jewish people and the State of Israel. We believe that in the 21st century, this value remains relevant and crucial, just as in the days when Eliav, the founder of Nitzana, led immigrant ships to the shores of Israel. Previous waves of immigration from the former Soviet Union played a central role in transforming Israel into the modern and thriving country it is today. We believe that today’s immigrants also have a role in shaping the future of our society and the state.

% Complete Aliyah & Stay in Israel

% Continue to serve in the IDF

Alumni Olim

Olim each year

What We Do

We offer Aliyah programs focusing on essential components for successful absorption in Israel: building a Jewish identity, learning Hebrew, acquiring the necessary skills for meaningful service in the IDF, acceptance to higher education and acquiring a profession, all in accordance with participant’s life stage.

SELA NITZANA provides a home away from home for new immigrants aged 18-21. Over 8 months, our young participants receive the tools needed for successful integration into their new home in Israel. Participants learn Hebrew and undergo an extensive preparation process for the IDF and higher education (taking the Psychometric University Entrance Test during the program). In addition to all the learning we also embark on journeys across Israel to explore its landscapes, cultures, and people. During these journeys, participants make new friends, gain unforgettable experiences in Israel, and begin to build their new self-identity as Israelis.

The program consists of four consecutive stages:

learning of the Hebrew language.

getting to know Israeli society and culture

learning about Israel’s history and democracy

preparation for military service and higher education

OUR IMPACT

The chances of successful integration among our graduates are high due to the tools they receive. They speak Hebrew at a proficient level, undergo preparation for the military and higher education, receive tools to enter the workforce and are accompanied closely in dealing with necessary procedures (e.g. opening a bank account or renting an apartment). Beyond this crucial preparation, our graduates enter their lives in Israel with a deep sense of belonging and responsibility for the state. The new citizens will know what they can give and contribute, not only what their rights are. Thanks to all of this, our graduates integrate into all areas of life in the State of Israel and contribute to them in various ways.

OUR STORIES

Tamerlan and Sofia Badakov joined MASA Nitzana Desert Challenge

in 2019 without any financial basis or external financial support. After completing the program, they succeeded in realizing a dream by building a successful business.

The couple had no prior familiarity with life in Israel, the business environment in Israel, or even the field of sports. Upon completing the program, armed with a fitness instructor certificate, they began offering personal fitness classes. Within a short time, the two opened a modest gym. Just two years later, the modest gym grew into a network of fitness rooms and functional halls called “Yalla Fitness.”

” MASA Nitzana Desert Challenge opened up the world of fitness for us and led us on a new and fascinating path. Thanks to the studies in Nitzana and obtaining a fitness instructor certificate, we entered a new profession that we never thought about before immigrating, and today we cannot imagine doing anything else. In addition to studying fitness in Russian, we also learned Hebrew and got to know Israeli society and culture in a way that helped us build our new lives and establish a successful business.”

OUR STORIES

Maria Polk grew up in Ukraine where she had to face many challenges. In 2004, at the age of 16, she joined the SELA-MIR NITZANA program. Despite battling a severe illness during the program, she excelled, achieving a high level of Hebrew proficiency and meeting the tough criteria for acceptance into medical studies at Bar Ilan University.

After completing the program, Maria served as a police officer in her mandatory service and then pursued medical studies where she specialized in oncology.

“The care and personal support I received during the program when I was ill gave me the strength to continue and recover, so I feel that Nitzana gave me the gift of life. Additionally, getting to know Israeli society and learning Hebrew provided me with the foundation I needed to succeed in my mandatory service and even more so in my medical studies afterward. The support and guidance of the program’s staff at every step, even years after completing the program, gave me the confidence and tools to build a life in a new country despite all the challenges. For that, I am grateful to the SELA team and Nitzana.”