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NEWS
45 percent of Russian Youths Do Not See Their Future in
Israel
by G. Lazer
A survey conducted by immigrant organization Maalah shows
that 35 percent of immigrant teenagers from the former Soviet
Union do not perceive themselves as Israelis and 45 percent
of high school students do not believe they have a future in
Israel.
Meanwhile 28 percent do not define themselves as Jews and 70
percent held that non-Jewish immigrants need not undergo any
form of conversion. Only 65 percent of respondents see
themselves as Israelis and the vast majority — 88
percent — prefer the label "Russian-Israeli."
According to the head of the survey "immigrant youths could
meld into Israeli society, but they try to isolate themselves
and preserve the culture they brought from their countries of
origin." All of the participants in the survey agreed that
learning Hebrew and Israeli culture is essential, but 30
percent said they had nothing to learn from longstanding
Israelis. When asked to explain, 40 percent said there is no
need to study Jewish tradition and Tanach, 82 percent said
there is nothing to learn in the area of Israeli culture and
90 percent said it is unnecessary to learn about acceptable
modes of behavior in Israel.
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