Jewish Agency — Absorption programs for young adult immigrants (Ulpan, residential, IDF, high-tech)

Source: https://www.jewishagency.org/absorption-services-for-young-adult-immigrants · 2026

The Jewish Agency focuses absorption efforts on young adults aged 18–35, who often have valuable educations and make Aliyah at a time when it is easier to learn Hebrew, make friends, and establish careers. Each year, several thousand young people benefit from these programs.

Residential Ulpan and Hebrew Language Programs

Ulpan Etzion

• Founded in 1949; one of Israel’s most established Hebrew ulpan programs.
• Five months of intensive Hebrew study for olim who hold college degrees.
• Serves around 1,600 immigrants aged 22–35 from more than 30 countries per year.
• Campuses: Jerusalem, Haifa, Ra’anana (with Etzion Plus optional 3-month extension), Ramle, Be’er Sheva, and Kibbutz Tzuba.

Beit Brodetsky

• For young new immigrants aged 21–31 who completed high school and plan to continue education in Israel.
• Located in Tel Aviv.
• Five-month residential immersion in Israeli culture and Hebrew language.
• Serves around 500 olim per year.

Ulpan Kinneret

• Located in Tiberias.
• For immigrants aged 18–30 with high school diplomas planning IDF service or employment.

Kibbutz Ulpan: Intensive Hebrew Work-Study for Young Olim

• Residential kibbutz-based program combining intensive Hebrew study with kibbutz life.
• Serves around 500 young adults aged 18–28 annually on kibbutzim across Israel.
• At Kibbutz Tzuba: open exclusively to college graduates, using the Ulpan Etzion model.

TAKA: Hebrew Language and Pre-Academic Study for Young Olim

• Combines ulpan studies with pre-academic preparatory courses for olim wishing to study in Israeli higher education.
• Collaboration with the Israel Student Authority of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration.
• Currently offered at: Hebrew University (Jerusalem), Tel Aviv University, Ashkelon College, and Gordon Academy (Haifa).

Tech & The City: Residential Ulpan for Young High-Tech Professionals

• Five-month absorption program for young high-tech students and professionals with academic degrees.
• Includes: entrepreneurship course at the Technion, Hebrew ulpan, and housing in apartments near the Technion.
• Serves approximately 60 new olim per year.

Support and Guidance Services

Hechven: Guidance, Advice, and Support Center for New Olim

• Provides group and individual services to young immigrants prior to completing ulpan and as they begin independent life.
• Offers a “Big Brother” Association pairing with a successfully integrated young immigrant.

First Home in the Homeland

• Kibbutz-based Aliyah and absorption program for new immigrant families.
• Located in Israel’s priority regions: the Negev and the Galilee.
• Olim are matched with one of 35 participating kibbutzim across 10 regional council areas.
• Serves several hundred olim per year.

High-Tech Career Programs

Israel Tech Challenge (ITC)

• Founded in 2014 by The Jewish Agency, the National Cyber Bureau of Israel, and industry partners.
• Provides intensive and elite code training, company projects, and placement opportunities in Israel’s top high-tech companies.
• Includes networking in the Israeli tech community.
• Open to participants from Israel and around the world.

IDF Service Programs

Garin Tzabar

• Provides “instant family” for IDF recruits, in partnership with the Israel Scouts movement.
• Builds groups of Diaspora Jews and Israelis who have lived abroad and choose to make Aliyah and serve in the IDF.
• Several hundred young people make Aliyah through Garin Tzabar each year.

Wings: Services and Continuing Support for Lone Soldiers

• Provides a continuum of services for hundreds of young men and women who join the IDF as “lone soldiers” — immigrants without close family in Israel.
• Helps with weekend accommodation, guidance, and support throughout service.

Nativ: Jewish Heritage Education for Immigrant Soldiers

• Ensures IDF soldiers understand their role in the Jewish story.
• Primarily serves immigrants from the former Soviet Union who are not recognized as Jewish under Jewish law in Israel.
• Allows soldiers to explore their Jewish roots and heritage during army service.
• Thousands of soldiers participate each year.