About 120 new and veteran immigrants living in Tirat Carmel participated last night in a festive evening of toasting for the New Year, held at the municipal library. The event was led by Absorption and Immigration Coordinator at the Welfare and Social Services Division, Katya Gratovsky, and included a community gathering and a festive musical performance.
Multi-community meeting at the municipal library
The evening was attended by immigrants from a variety of communities, including new immigrants from France, alongside immigrants from Russia and Ethiopia, who enjoyed a warm and connecting community gathering. The event was attended by Mayor Dudu Cohen; City Council member and Absorption Portfolio Holder Tamar Aviv; Livi Schreiber, representative of the Ministry of Aliyah and Absorption; Eitna Sher Shalom, Director of the Social Services Division; Maggie David, Director of the Community Resources Unit; and other representatives.
A particularly moving moment was recorded when the rabbi of the city's Chabad community, Rabbi Yosef Markowitz, blew the shofar ahead of Rosh Hashanah and wished the participants a happy and sweet new year.
"In Tirat Carmel, no one stays a new immigrant for long"
Mayor Dudu Cohen He said in the evening: "Tirat Carmel is a home. A city that was built and grew thanks to immigrants from all corners of the world, and thanks to their children and grandchildren who put down roots here and turned it into the warm, diverse and special city it is today. In my opinion, this is Zionism at its fullest: to immigrate to the land, build a new life there and be part of a community and a shared Israeli story."
Cohen added that "our mission is not only to absorb immigrants, but to give each family a true sense of belonging. Because in Tirat Carmel, no one remains a new immigrant for long; here they become neighbors, friends, and family," and wished everyone a happy and sweet New Year, a year of unity, belonging, growth, and good news.
"Good absorption begins with a community that embraces"
Eitna Sher Shalom, Director of the Social Services Division, noted that "good absorption begins with a community that accepts, embraces and accompanies. This meeting is an opportunity to strengthen the sense of belonging, to get to know the communities and to ensure that every family that comes to the city knows that it has an address here and people who will accompany it on its way."
Maggie David, Director of Community Resources UnitShe added: "The power of Tirat Carmel lies in the people and the connections between them. It was exciting to see in one evening immigrants from different countries and communities meet, get to know each other, and celebrate together. We will continue to work to strengthen the community, create encounters, and deepen the immigrants' sense of belonging in the city."
Congratulations to the Tirat Carmel Municipality and the wonderful new immigrants.