This project was initiated to meet the immediate needs of the many Ukrainian immigrants and refugees living in Bat Yam. The program provides Ukrainian children and teens with Hebrew lessons (also for adults), science activities, therapeutic bicycle riding, and art therapy and a summer camp. These activities empower the children, helping them to overcome some of the difficulties associated with immigration to a new country and strengthening their social support network.
Danylo*, a ten year old new immigrant from Ukraine, arrived in Israel in August 2022 from Kyiv with his family. Personally, Danylo had no major difficulties—he is an open and kind-hearted child. However, learning Hebrew was a real challenge for him, particularly as it is so different from his native language. Though Danylo struggled in the Ukrainian Immigrant Program’s Hebrew lessons, help came from an unexpected source—cycling classes. Danylo
became so enthusiastic about the sport that he had no choice but to start speaking with his instructor in Hebrew to discuss various technical details. Danylo made great progress in learning the language—to the point where he started writing humorous stories in Hebrew. His latest story is about his friend, Elon Musk, who flew to visit him in Bat Yam by helicopter.
