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Iranian Twins Make Aliyah and Turn to JDC's Young Adult Center for Assistance in Life-Changing Decisions
Nour and Goli are twins, who together with their younger brother and parents emigrated to Israel from Iran in 2000. Like many new immigrants, they straddled two cultures. The girls were often caught between their conservative upbringing, in which women were often expected to pursue marriage and children, rather than seek a career outside the home. As religious teenagers, they both served as volunteers in elementary schools as part of the National Service Program (Sherut Leumi)— a program for women from religious backgrounds who do not wish to serve in the Israel Defense Forces.
Despite family pressure, Nour and Goli were determined to pursue academics in order to widen their future opportunities and to extricate themselves from a life trajectory that they felt was limiting. A local absorption center social worker who, coincidentally, had assisted the twins' and their family upon their arrival to Israel, directed them to JDC's Young Adult Center in Ashdod. Upon arrival at the Center, Nour and Goli met a program coordinator who guided them through the options for taking the pre-university Psychometric exam (equivalent to the SAT exam in the U.S.) They were also referred to an academic advisor. Both women came to the Center with great trepidation regarding their desire to pursue careers because of their traditional parents. Also, Nour and Goli's father is disabled and receives a disability allowance from Israel's Social Security. Their mother is a full time mom. After much deliberation, Nour and Goli took the next big step and applied to Achva College's social studies program that includes courses in economics and management. With the assistance of the Ashdod Young Adult Center, their case was reviewed by an Exemption Committee and they were accepted to the program. In addition, both women taking a special course in Microsoft Office to acquire basic computer skills. Nour and Goli also received special scholarships through the Center. Today, Nour and Goli have become socially active volunteers in community service projects and continue to turn to JDC's Ashdod Young Adult Center for assistance when they need counseling or support. Launched in 2004 by the JDC Immigrant Integration Division, the Young Adult Center program currently boasts 20 centers across Israel. In 2006 close to 10,000 young immigrants benefited from the Centers. Aimed at helping immigrants face decisions at the crossroads of their lives, between the ages of 18-30, the Center offers assistance and information covering a broad range of topics including higher education, employment, housing, parenthood and social involvement, to list a few. January 2007 |
