Evaluation in The Jewish Agency

Evaluation in The Jewish Agency 2014-2015 Evaluation The Impact of The of The Jewish Jewish Agency's Agency s Programs Activities

EVALUATION IN THE JEWISH AGENCY This document provides information on The Jewish Agency's approach to evaluation and the evaluation of selected programs in 2014-2015. A summary report of every evaluation conducted is available online at: impact.jewishagency.org The Jewish Agency The Jewish Agency's enduring vision is to ensure the future of a connected, committed, global Jewish People with a strong Israel at its center. To inspire Jewish life, help people in need and strengthen the global Jewish community, today we focus on: Connecting young Jews to Israel and to their Jewish identity; Connecting young Israelis to the Jewish People and to their Jewish identity; Encouraging Aliyah (immigration to Israel) as the outcome of a Jewish identity and facilitating the Aliyah of all Jews who wish to move to Israel, while remaining ready for Aliyah of rescue; Supporting vulnerable populations in Israel. The intersection between the first two areas creates meaningful connections and partnership, and promotes leadership and pluralism; in the inter-connectedness between the four mutually complementary areas lie a focus on strengthening Jewish core values the relationship between a Jew and her or his people, land, heritage and society-community, and engaging both young Israelis and young Jews from around the world. What Can we Measure? Evaluation is a critical tool in helping The Jewish Agency prioritize the allocation of its resources and is a central element in organizational learning. Evaluation helps us understand the impact of our programs and the ways in which they need to be improved, and as such, serves as a basis for evidence-based decision making. Furthermore, evaluation provides accountability to donors/investors on both the outcomes achieved and the expenditure of resources provided, and opens channels of communication between program staff and donors. In general, evaluations are conducted by outside, impartial experts familiar with the particular field of activity. 2 The Impact of The Jewish Agency s Activities 2014-2015

Program Evaluation there are 2 main forms of evaluation: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Formative evaluation provides indicators to staff on the processes and their effectiveness, thereby identifying the need for modifications to make improvements. It is particularly useful for new programs, as it provides important feedback for the refinement of the project at an early stage. Summative evaluation examines the degree to which a program met the quantitative and qualitative goals that were set, as well as the impact of the program on the service recipients, but can only be conducted after a program has been running for several years. All new programs have a clearly-developed evaluation plan before implementation begins and an external evaluation is generally used for at least the first year of activity. Through evaluations we measure: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Program Outputs direct quantifiable results, such as the numbers of participants or activities. Output measures are reported through a technological platform that is updated every six months, and can produce reports on outputs based on strategic directions, program areas, geographic region or target population. Participant Satisfaction this is measured as part of evaluation projects; internal evaluations focus on participant satisfaction with specific events or elements of a program. Impact Assessment the impact of the program, the change that happened in the program participants, whether this be individuals, organizations or communities, over the short, medium and long term. 3

How Do we Measure? Evaluation Outputs Outcomes / Impact > > Surveys and Questionnaires In-depth interviews > > Work plans Program database > Impact assessment studies > > Observations Focus groups 4 The Impact of The Jewish Agency s Activities 2014-2015

I. Jewish Identity and Israel Engagement To reflect The Jewish Agency s focus on working to connect young Jews and Israelis to their Jewish identity, Israel and the Jewish people, we have developed an impact matrix that has four core values on one axis peoplehood, Israel, heritage (Jewish identity) and community, and three main parameters affect, behavior and cognition on the other, while allowing for each program to add parameters that are particularly relevant for that program. The matrix is already in use in the evaluation of Onward Israel, Project TEN, summer camps in the FSU, day schools in the FSU Roots trips, shlichim and participants in pre-army academies, and the plan is to extend its use to all programs of The Jewish Agency that address Jewish identity and Israel engagement over the next two years. ISRAEL JEWISH HERITAGE JEWISH COMMUNITY JEWISH PEOPLEHOOD?? Affect Behavior Cognition Other?? The development of a standard measurement tool provides clarity about organizational goals and expectations about outputs and outcomes, and means that programs are measured by a comparable set of tools. The approach enables comparison across time and between the impact of different programs on participants; it does not seek to be a tool to build a cumulative picture of the impact of programs on any one particular participant. The evaluations use an identical list of questions, translated into various languages and adapted to the cultural background of the various program audiences, and are a drill down of the three main parameters and four main core values. In each program, participants are asked to complete a series of questionnaires: Before the program Several months after the program At the end of the program II. Social Activism and Social Impact We are beginning to develop a parallel tool to measure the impact of our programming in the field of social activism. 5

Connecting Young Jews to Israel and to their Jewish Identity Connecting Young Israelis to the Jewish People and to Their Jewish Identity Aliyah and Absorption Supporting Vulnerable Populations 6 The Impact of The Jewish Agency s Activities 2014-2015

CONNECTING YOUNG JEWS TO ISRAEL AND TO THEIR JEWISH IDENTITY Connecting Young Jews to Israel and to their Jewish Identity Connecting Young Israelis to the Jewish People and to Their Jewish Identity Aliyah and Absorption Supporting Vulnerable Populations 7

ONWARD ISRAEL Encourages engagement with Israel through mid-length programs that combine academic credits, professional internship opportunities, volunteer placements and leadership tracks. Since its inception in 2012, the program and its impact has been evaluated by Rosov Consulting through preand post-program questionnaires with a third questionnaire 10 months after returning from Israel. Before the program Several months after the program At the end of the program Among half of the participants in 2013 from North America and Europe, even 10 months after the program ended, there was an increase in knowledge and understanding about Israel: Knowledge of Confidence in Knowledge of day to day life explaining the diversity everyday situation " Onward Israel provided me with the internship experience I was looking for but more importantly, it helped me to figure out what being Jewish means to me. I am planning on returning next year after graduation for an extended period of time. If it were not for Onward Israel, I never would have explored my Jewish identity in the same way as I did in Israel this summer 8 The Impact of The Jewish Agency s Activities 2014-2015

Ten months after returning from the program: (51%) of those who had previously spent 1-3 months in Israel on an Onward Israel program indicated concrete plans to return to Israel in the coming year. The other half indicated that they planned on visiting some time. Alumni on college campuses indicate an increase in the number of their friends who identify as Jewish. There is a similar growth in the numbers taking courses related to Israel and Middle Eastern Studies. There was a growth of nearly 7% in the number who follow the news about Israel 6 or more times a year. Among alumni who identified as engaged to a low degree before they participated in the program, there was a 38% increase in their level of personal engagement with Jewish activity and a 40% increase in their level of community engagement. Israel helped me to form "Onward an opinion on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and encouraged me to stay informed on the matter " Being in Israel for the first time, meeting Israelis and having conversation with them, making great friends learning about Israel's economy, mixing cultures... feeling at home 9

MASA Masa Israel Journey programs offer 5-10 months of educational experiential programming in Israel to young Jews from around the world. Between 2005-2014 some 50,000 young Jews spent extended periods of time in Israel on a Masa Israel Journey program. Rosov Consulting conducted a study of alumni worldwide from 2005-2014. Data come from two sources: 5,732 individuals on the Masa contact list who responded to an on-line survey (12% of those to whom the survey was sent); and 45 individuals who participated either in focus groups or one-on-one interviews. "A Masa Israel experience is related to significantly enhanced levels of Jewish engagement, Israel engagement and leadership in the Jewish community. These differences are generally stable no matter how long it has been since individuals participated in a Masa program, following a small decline in intensity about a year after the end of the program" Compared to alumni of shorter programs in Israel, Masa graduates are: Twice as likely to participate in leadership activities upon returning from Israel. They: Volunteer with an Israel advocacy group almost 3 times more than non-masa participants; Are twice as likely to donate money to Israel or Jewish-related causes than non-masa participants; Take a leadership role in Israel-oriented events almost 3 times more often than non-masa participants; Are 43% more likely to take a leadership role in Jewish life at home or at university, alumni take a leadership role in Israel-oriented events almost 3 times more often than non-masa participants. Program alumni: 22% Rate of Aliyah from North America compared to 11% among nonparticipants. Higher rates of Aliyah from France and FSU 27% 34% Are connected to Israel behaviorally compared to 12% among nonparticipants Frequently participate in Shabbat dinners and holiday celebrations compared to 18% among nonparticipants 37% Less likely to marry non-jewish partners 72% Have some to all of their friends among fellow alumni, compared to 26% of non participants who met some most or all of their closest friends in Israel 10 The Impact of The Jewish Agency s Activities 2014-2015

57% of non-orthodox Masa alumni indicated that being Jewish is very important to them This is in contrast to 25% of participants in the 2014 Pew study of Jewish Americans aged 18-30 who do not identify as Orthodox, who thought that being Jewish is very important, and 39% of alumni of short-term programs 57% 54% 54% of Masa alumni are "very attached" to Israel Compared to 35% of alumni of short-term programs, 18% of non-orthodox Pew respondents and 9% of Pew respondents who have never visited Israel " After I came back from Israel I became way more active in Hillel. I was the Development Chair and sat on their board. I still had all my old friends but I was in a more active Jewish community for myself. I attended all of the speakers and events and film screenings that had to do with Israel, to feel more connected to the place 11

THE ISRAEL-ENGAGED IN THE TORONTO JEWISH COMMUNITY As a first stage in developing approaches to Israel engagement within Diaspora communities and models for community-wide Israel engagement programs, research within the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, conducted by Rosov Consulting, sought to: 1. Identify and measure how diverse members of Toronto s Jewish communities think, feel and act in relation to Israel; 2. Determine the extent to which connections to and relationships with Israel are related to programmatic interventions, especially those the Federation supports; 3. Capture the place of Israel in Jewish communal life, and explore whether Israel continues to play a unifying role for the community, and whether the relationship of community members to Israel is influenced by anti-israel rhetoric. Key Findings: The under-30 age-cohort is actually the most active when engaging in personally-initiated Israel-related activities. The more often a person visits Israel the more actively engaged they are with it. Personal and communal involvement by age cohorts 5.0 4.0 3.0 3.7 4.3 4.5 4.3 4.4 4.1 4.1 4.1 3.9 3.9 20 and Under 3.6 3.5 21-30 31-40 2.0 41-50 51-60 1.0 Over 60 Personal Cultural Involvement Communal Involvement Average rating on a scale of 7 to 1 12 The Impact of The Jewish Agency s Activities 2014-2015

Frequency of recent trips to Israel and levels of engagement There is a strong relationship between the frequency of visits to Israel over the past 10 years and levels of engagement Social Media Presence 3.2 4.0 4.7 5.5 Communal Involvement 3.3 4.1 4.9 4.7 Personal Cultural Involvement 2.8 3.6 4.4 4.3 Political Concern 4.7 5.5 5.2 6.0 Connection to Israel 4.0 4.7 5.4 5.1 Advocacy 4.3 5.1 4.8 6.1 Knowledge about Israel 4.2 4.9 5.3 5.7 1 2 3 4 5 6 Average Rating on a Scale of 7 to 1 6 or more times 4 to 5 times 2 to 3 times Once 7 Findings: Based on data from 1,554 people who responded to a survey sent out by 21 community organizations to all those on their contact lists, and 98 people who participated in one of 19 focus groups. in Israel helps separate the theoretical "Being idea of Israel from what actually goes on in the country, good and bad. It means not to idealize the country as much, but to see it as a living breathing country 13

ISRAEL FELLOWS PROGRAM The IFP, a collaboration of Hillel and The Jewish Agency, brings Israeli young adults to American college campuses to work on Israel education, advocacy, and engagement. Brandeis evaluated the functioning of the Israel Fellows in 2013-2014 through a survey of executive directors of Hillel organizations on American college campuses. They were asked questions about Israel programming and activities, the overall political atmosphere, and anti-israel activities on campuses during the 2013-2014 academic year, the role and importance of their Israel fellow in promoting Israel engagement and in mobilizing students and other elements of the campus to address anti-israel campaigns. Directors reported that their Israel Fellows were very important for: 73% Birthright reunion 76% Mobilizing Jewish student leaders to counter anti-israel activities 81% Birthright recruitment 83% Birthright orientation 88% Celebrations of Israeli holidays would not have "We been able to produce the same quantity and quality of programming and mobilize the same number of students without someone who focuses on Israel engagement and education 14 The Impact of The Jewish Agency s Activities 2014-2015

SUMMER CAMPS IN THE FSU In 1991, The Jewish Agency ran its first camps in the FSU. The camps have impacted on approximately 150,000 young Jews. In recent years, the camps have annually reached out to some 6,000 young Jews aged 11-25, through 700 local and some 150 specially-trained Israeli counselors. The importance of the camps lies on two levels providing transformative Jewish experiences for children and youth, and fostering Jewish leadership. Research was conducted on four camps in summer 2014 by Zofnat Institute for Organizational Consulting, Development and Research to examine the impact of the camps on the participants (and counselors ) sense of belonging to the Jewish world and to Israel, and in developing the local community, through: Semi-structured interviews with a sample of participants in each camp Semi-structured interviews with a sample of staff members Structured questionnaires given to all participants on the last day of camp Telephone survey of a random sample of participants parents conducted 1 month after the camp take from here a lot "They of Judaism. 65% Judaism, 30% life skills, 5% friends it s not only information, they get an experience, and friends, with whom they stay in touch and they have common things to talk about. We create a kind of Jewish community (Israeli counselor, Riga) 15

Kiev Camp Impact 5.0 4.0 4.1 3.9 3.7 3.7 3.4 3.4 3.8 3.6 3.9 3.4 3.7 3.5 3.3 3.0 2.0 1.0 Kiev 2014 Kiev 2013 I learned interesting things It is Important that FSU Jews take part in Jewish summer camps I plan to participate more in Jewish activity where I live I feel closer to Israel I feel a stronger sense of belonging to the Jewish people I plan to read and learn more about Israel and Jewish subjects I learned about in camp Participation made me want to influence my community Average rating on a scale of 5 to 1 " I found out that I was Jewish and I wanted to understand what it was. And I really feel like part of the Jewish people. I think it is one family, a place when you get information and rest (Camp participant, Kiev, 16) 16 The Impact of The Jewish Agency s Activities 2014-2015

Moscow Camp Impact 5.0 4.0 3.0 4.3 4.1 3.8 3.9 4.0 3.9 3.8 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.4 3.4 3.1 2.0 1.0 I learned interesting things Moscow 2014 Moscow 2013 It is Important that FSU Jews take part in Jewish summer camps I plan to participate more in Jewish activity where I live I feel closer to Israel I feel a stronger sense of belonging to the Jewish people I plan to read and learn more about Israel and Jewish subjects I learned about in camp Participation made me want to influence my community Average rating on a scale of 5 to 1 " This is my connection with Judaism. I realize that I would have lost it without it [working in camp]. My grandfather survived the Holocaust and Judaism is important to me Part of the counselors are friends in their regular lives outside camp (Local Moscow counselor) 17

DAY CAMPS IN THE FSU Day camp were introduced in 2014. For some participants, day camps are a continuation of the Jewish educational process, while for others they are an introduction to Jewish life while providing The Jewish Agency with an opportunity to reach out to new audiences. The first year was evaluated by Zofnat Institute for Organizational Consulting, Development and Research to examine the degree to which they strengthen the connection of campers and their families (particularly unaffiliated campers) to the local Jewish community, to the Jewish people, and to Israel. The following findings are particularly noteworthy: 70% Felt a greater sense of belonging to the Jewish people 73% Intend to participate more in Jewish activities in their community 79% Learned new things about the Jewish people 80% Learned new things about Israel " I will take everything home from the camp, because I like this camp very much. It's a pity that tomorrow is the last" (8-year old, Riga) SUMMER CAMP IN ISRAEL FOR RUSSIAN-SPEAKING JEWISH YOUTH This is an international summer camp, held in Israel, for Russian-speaking Jewish youth from Israel and the FSU. Research to examine the impact of the 2014 camp in terms of involvement in the Jewish world and levels of satisfaction with various aspects of the program was conducted by Zofnat Institute for Organizational Consulting, Development and Research. There were 105 13-18 year olds in the program. General satisfaction level from camp 5.0 4.8 4.9 4.5 4.1 4.7 4.8 2014 2013 4.0 Average rating on a scale of 5 to 1 3.0 2.0 1.0 Total Israel FSU

ROOTS TRIP FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE HEFTZIBA NETWORK OF JEWISH DAY SCHOOLS IN THE FSU The Heftziba Network of Jewish Zionist formal education in the FSU is a network of 46 Jewish day schools religious, ultra-orthodox and secular with nearly 9,500 pupils. Research was conducted by the Szold Institute in 2013-2014 to evaluate the impact of the program on the students sense of connection to their Jewish identity, and to their Jewish roots and Israel; which educational processes had the greatest impact on the students before, during and after the Roots trip; their level of satisfaction with the program; as well as the program s impact on the accompanying teachers. School students who participated in the trip and those who did not completed questionnaires before the trip, upon its completion and 9 months later. " It is a deep and moving educational program that creates an unusual impact and shows a very high standard of content and organizational execution. Participating in Masa Shorashim can certainly be considered as a foundational experience in forming the identity of the participating youth, and influencing their choices about their future. It is no wonder that 83% of the pupils recommend that all Jewish youth in the FSU should participate 19

Percentages who agreed to a high or very high degree 100% 88.6 75% 50% 42.6 51.6 54.8 58.1 60.6 64.5 68.4 71 74.2 25% 0 The trip impacted on my Zionist identity As a result of the trip I feel a greater sense of connection to the Jewish community where I live As a result of the trip I am more involved in asking myself the question, Who am I? As a result of the trip I feel more connected to Israel and Zionism The trip impacted on my Jewish identity As a result of the trip, my sense of connection to religion and Jewish tradition was strengthened As a result of the trip I am more aware of the Holocaust and it is part of my identity as a Jew As a result of the trip I feel a stronger connection to values of humanism and tolerance As a result of the trip I feel a greater sense of connection to the Jewish people Masa Shorashim was meaningful for me Even 9 months after the trip, all the positive indices were higher than those measured prior to the journey and almost all negative indices lower than those measured previously The journey inspired me to be more religious in my actions and thoughts I feel patriotism toward Israel just as I do towards my homeland A sense of responsibility and love for my people grew in me 20 The Impact of The Jewish Agency s Activities 2014-2015

CONNECTING YOUNG ISRAELIS TO THE JEWISH PEOPLE AND TO THEIR JEWISH IDENTITY Connecting Young Jews to Israel and to their Jewish Identity Connecting Young Israelis to the Jewish People and to Their Jewish Identity Aliyah and Absorption Supporting Vulnerable Populations 21

BRINGING IT HOME Israeli counselors on summer camps in North America provide a taste of Israel and serve as a living bridge between the two cultures, while for many of the counselors it is their first encounter with North American Jewry and they often return with changed perceptions regarding Jewish life, Jewish diversity, Jewish identity, connection to Israel, and Jewish Peoplehood. Through reflection and processing, Bringing it Home seeks to encourage in the counselors a positive connection to Jewish values and activism. An independent external evaluator interviewed participants during the seminar and during a gathering for all returnees held some 4 months after the end of the camps. " The entire summer was very intense, we didn t really have the chance to think about what we were going through and how I feel about everything. And here [the seminar] I really had that chance, and I learned many things about myself. "I came from camp with questions about identity, and how to go on from here It s finding a connection with the North American Jewish community and I think that it s a very meaningful connection for us" "I think that [back in Israel] I would like to take part in something that is the values of Judaism through the values of Israel" "When I was at camp I felt that I was doing something meaningful and very important. But the seminar gave me what I was missing, the why, the bigger cause of why I m here I m going back much more whole then I would have otherwise" 22 The Impact of The Jewish Agency s Activities 2014-2015

PROJECT TEN Project TEN a service-learning program that has been operating since 2012. It brings young Jewish adults from around the world, both Israelis and their Diaspora peers, to work together on sustainable projects in developing regions for 3 months, in cooperation with local non-governmental organizations. Volunteers study an integrated curriculum focusing on Jewish values and community, engaging in international dialogue on Jewish identity. An evaluation of the project was conducted in 2014-2015 by Ergo through 3 questionnaires: 1 month before the start of the program In the last week of the program 3-10 months after completion of the program General satisfaction: 78% are likely to recommend joining the program 64% were satisfied 28% moderately satisfied 23

Personal gains - Growth, empowerment, perspective I feel I grew as a person from this experience 94% 4% 2% I am proud of what I did 89% 4% 8% This experience put things in perspective and showed me how the world works 85% 19% 2% 75% 80% 85% 90% 95% 100% Very high - high degree Moderate degree Very low - low degree " I am so thankful that I had this experience and feel so satisfied on the one hand and sad on the other hand. Sad that I can't be here to see the results of what I did. But I am really proud to be in the place that I am now because I have learned so much and experienced so much and I have only come out stronger! 24 The Impact of The Jewish Agency s Activities 2014-2015

SUPPORTING VULNERABLE POPULATIONS Connecting Young Jews to Israel and to their Jewish Identity Connecting Young Israelis to the Jewish People and to Their Jewish Identity Aliyah and Absorption Supporting Vulnerable Populations 25

YOUTH FUTURES Operating on a national level since 2006, Youth Futures aims to empower and advance young children and youth at-risk who live in Israel s social and geographic peripheries. As of the end of 2014, some 8,000 children and teens had completed Youth Futures; an evaluation was conducted that year by Digma of teenagers who have completed the program, through 1,650 telephone interviews. 87% have high or very high satisfaction with their present situation 66% feel the program helped considerably on personal, social and scholastic levels Their dropout rate from school is half the national average I wish every kid could be in the program, those who get to be in it gain a lot, they learn and see new things, a new future opens up for them (Graduate now in middle school) 26 The Impact of The Jewish Agency s Activities 2014-2015 " " Sometimes I call up my Mentor s image in my mind and think what she would tell me to do now. And that s the thing that gives me a lot of strength (Graduate currently in high school)

Youth Futures is viewed by its graduates as a transformative-formative, positive and enriching experience, one that helps them cope and move ahead in life. The graduates actions and behavior in the present attest to the program s ongoing impact on its participants, even after several years have passed since contact with the staff ceased. How graduates of Youth Futures perceive the program's impact on different areas of their life over a period of 4 years since completing the program 5.00 4.50 4.00 3.50 3.00 2.50 2.00 1.50 1.00 On a scale of 5 (very great impact) to 1 (no impact) great impact 1 year later 2 years later 3 years later 4 years later Personal Social Scholastic Familial 27

ALIYAH AND ABSORPTION Connecting Young Jews to Israel and to their Jewish Identity Connecting Young Israelis to the Jewish People and to Their Jewish Identity Aliyah and Absorption Supporting Vulnerable Populations 28 The Impact of The Jewish Agency s Activities 2014-2015

POTENTIAL FOR ALIYAH AMONG YOUNG JEWS This survey was conducted between June 2013 January 2014 by Ergo among 1,285 people aged under 39 in various countries (excluding the FSU) who had, at some point in the past, participated in one of The Jewish Agency s programs, and 275 participants in Masa. Factors that attract people to move to Israel 53% 27% 25% 25% 15% 15% 15% 14% 11% 19% 10% 6% 9% 7% 9% 5% 3% 5% 4% 3% 8% 4% 9% 3% 7% The ability to better practice your ideology or religion The possibility of a change in your life and a new beginning The ability to find an appropriate partner and establish a family Basic values, the political and legal system The ability to raise children according to your lifestyle The ability to live at a standard of living that suits you Reuniting with parts of the family The ability to find work suitable to your skills Quality of the health and welfare system Economic stability Quality of the higher education system The opportunity to serve in the armed forces Level of personal safety General (985) Masa (265) 29

Areas Issues of that support concern that people will encourage when considering people to moving consider to Israel aliya 40% General (985) Masa (265) 28% 20% 18% 19% 20% 15% 10% 14% 12% 14% 14% 11% 11% 10% 8% 8% 11% 7% 6% Distance from the family Differences in language and culture Level of personal safety The ability to find work suitable for your skils The ability to live at a standard of living that suits you The requirement to serve in the armed forces Tolerance towards minorities and religious streams in Judaism Economic stability Basic values - the political and legal system Formal-bureaucratic problem such as a fear that diplomas will not be recognized Areas of support that will encourage people to consider Aliyah 73% 56% 46% 32% 44% 33% 25% 31% 25% 23% 22% 32% 14% 12% 7% 10% Employment 30 Studying Hebrew Housing Connection with the community Interactions with private sector services The Impact of The Jewish Agency s Activities 2014-2015 Interactions with goverment agencies Studies Promoting the integration of you children

SATISFACTION LEVELS AMONG FSU OLIM FROM 2014 WITH THEIR ALIYAH PROCESS This survey is conducted annually and funded by the US government grant. It was conducted through telephone interviews with 350 olim who arrived by plane from the FSU in 2014. Motives for immigration Made Aliyah for reunion with family and friends Had visited Israel at least once before immigration 66% 77% Came to Israel to guarantee the children s future 40% Made Aliyah because of the economic situation in their country of origin and the feeling that their personal security was under threat there 40% Participation in relevant activities prior to immigration Participated in at least one activity related to Jewish education 63% Received information from The Jewish Agency s representatives. More than three-quarters reported satisfaction with the advice received 53% 31

MATZOFIM Works to advance Ethiopian students who live in absorption centers and study in grades 1-9. In 2014, an evaluation was carried out in two absorption centers by Mishtanim Evaluation and Organizational Consulting. The Ethiopian students feel very good in the program. Where math studies are concerned, Ethiopian new immigrant children have difficulty in certain aspects to a pronounced degree. Children see themselves as integrating relatively well and feel they have many friends at school. However, the school teachers see mainly the challenges and difficulties and less the progress and strengths of the students. The program teachers are very professional and dedicated. The study program is clear and well organized. In the Kiryat Yam absorption center, 91% of the children progressed in their knowledge of Hebrew by at least one class level Between 32-43% of the students advanced in Hebrew at school above the average for their class 77% 91% 32 The Impact of The Jewish Agency s Activities 2014-2015

"The majority of the respondents feel that good things happened to them during the year and that they happened thanks to Matzofim" "It is clear that the changes which occur in the students will last because the students clearly acquired basic skills, a positive feeling and selfconfidence" 33

Evaluation in The Jewish Agency 2014-2015 For further information see: impact.jewishagency.org or contact: deborahl@jafi.org January 2016