פרסומים – מכון ירושלים למחקרי מדיניות

Summary

Publication Year: 2021

Authors:

Dganit Levi, Dr. Dvora Abramzon Brosh, Inna Orly Sapozhnikova

Recommendations for Eliminating Systemic Barriers for Russian Speaking Israelis

Conversion, Civil Service Representation and Access to Rights for Older Adults

Thirty years have passed since the large wave of Jewish immigration to Israel from the former Soviet Union. This wave of Aliyah, which took place predominantly throughout the 1990s, was unique in many aspects – though the immigrants were young and educated compared to immigrants from other countries and to residents of Israel at the time, they had a difficult time integrating into Israeli society and faced numerous challenges and obstacles.

The One Million Lobby is an organization established to represent the needs of Russian-speaking Israelis. The organization commissioned the Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research to carry out a study examining three aspects of the relationship between Russian-speaking Israelis and government institutions: (1) the conversion process in the wider context of religious services; (2) representation of Russian-speaking Israelis in the civil service; (3) access to rights for Russian-speaking older adults.

This study included a literature review, interviews, focus groups and attitude surveys. The findings from these informed the policy proposals set out in this document. The importance of this document and its recommendations extends beyond its potential influence on the lives of Russian-speaking populations. The three issues examined in the document affect the quality of life of many Israeli citizens – new immigrants, long-term immigrants and native-born Israelis– who are faced with inequitable policies. Implementing these recommendations has the potential to help the country improve the service it provides to its citizens, with the hope of promoting a more responsible, professional and equitable public service.

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