First Independence Day in Israel – First Home Update

We have welcomed more than 120 families since the beginning of 2022. Families from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus celebrated their first Israel Independence Day on May 4 together. Because all of them are Israelis now. They told us how it was and what they felt at their First Home in the Homeland.

Two olim families living in the Mate Asher regional council raised the flag together on Indepandence Day | Photo: JAFI

“It was a kind of gratitude to everyone who helped us, and an opportunity to say “thank you” to them””

Kibbutz Ein HaMifratz invited Vladimir Lundin (near the flag) to take part in the celebration of Independence Day in the Mate Asher regional council. And he gladly accepted the invitation.
“We have been preparing for this since our arrival. We knew that we would raise the flag together with the Kulakov family. It was a kind of gratitude to everyone who helped us, and an opportunity to say “thank you” to them”.
Pavel Kulakov (pictured left) made aliyah with his wife Ekaterina, their son Stepan on April 18. Now they live in kibbutz Ein HaMefratz and appriciate it very much. “It was a special day for us – our first Independence Day in Israel. Everything was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere. We were celebrating among other kibbutz dwellers and felt like being part of a big family, primarily because we have been reciving their love and support from the very first day here!” – said Pavel.

The Kovrigin Family (Tatyana, Konstantin, Igor and Alexei), kibbutz Kfar Masaryk | Photo: JAFI

Another family, the Kovrigins, made aliyah on April 25. It was also their first Independence Day in Israel.
One more important participant of that Day was little Miron Kichko, who came to Israel with his mother Ekaterina from Kyiv. They fled the war and left Ukraine at the end of March. Now they live in kibbutz Galed with Maria and Polina Khvorostyan from Nikolaev.
“It is worth mentioning the hospitality and feel-like-home atmosphere in our kibbutz. We feel like we have lived here all our lives! As for the celebration of Independence Day, we were invited for dinner, and after that attended a concert. Miroshka (Miron) was enjoing various entertainments for children. Everything was great and we are proud of being part of the family of kibbutz Galed!”

Miron (Miroshka) Kichko from Kiev with his new friend in kibbutz Galed | Photo: JAFI

Celebration of Independence Day in the kindergarten | Photo by Katerina Kichko

“Everyone in the kibbutz wanted to talk to us, dance with us and take care of us. We felt like home!”

Maria Khvorostyan and her 2-year-old daughter Polina from Nikolaev flew to Israel on April 3. Maria’s husband stayed in Ukraine to defend his native city. Like Katerina Kichko, Maria joined the First Home in the Homeland program in kibbutz Galed. Here is how she recalls their first Independence Day: “It was awesome and completely unexpected! Children were given lots of gifts and felt very happy about balloons, treats, soap bubbles and trampolines. Everyone in the kibbutz wanted to talk to us, dance with us and take care of us. We felt like home!”

Maria Khvorostyan (right) and Katerina Kichko (left) from Ukraine with their coordinator in kibbutz Galed | Photo: JAFI

All these families have already begun studying Hebrew and are grateful for their new life to the First Home in the Homeland program and to the State of Israel. Thanks to you everything they were dreaming of has come true! We appreciate your support and believe that kindness and love will make our world better!

Please support the “First Home in the Homeland” Project. Any amount is welcome!
Assisting a family in the “First Home” program costs € 230 euro / US $ 250 a month.

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