Young new immigrants feel considerably more lonely and dissatisfied than native-born young Israelis, according to a survey conducted by Professor Eli Leshem of the Hebrew University’s School of Social Work. The survey’s findings will be presented this morning at a conference on the integration in Israeli society of young new immigrants, sponsored by the Absorption Ministry and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC).
The survey, initiated and financed by JDC Israel, was done among immigrants aged 20 to 29 who arrived in Israel in the years 1990 to 2001. It indicates that the young immigrants’ level of education was significantly higher than that of the native born. Some 41 percent of the immigrants graduated from high school or from an institute of higher education compared to 27 percent of the veteran Israelis. Some 25 percent of the immigrants – most of them who immigrated between 1990 and 2001 – said they do not belong to the Jewish faith. The standard of living of the young immigrants is lower than that of the native-born Israelis – 27 percent of the former are employed in blue collar professions compared to 16 percent of the latter. Only 51 percent of the young immigrants own a car, compared to 69 percent of the veterans. The native-born young people employ a house cleaner and a nanny, take vacations in Israel and use the computer and Internet significantly more than do young immigrants. However, there is no difference between the two groups as far as trips overseas are concerned.
