At the Absorption Center  in Nazareth Ilit, there have been many smiles lately.

Just over a year ago Maxim and Irena were still in far away Novosibirsk.
However, this past November, instead of  braving the cold winter snow, they were basking in the warmth of Jewish tradition and setting the roots for building their own Jewish home.

Having arrived in Israel on the Mechantronics Program, the two have traveled a long road; studying Judaism, history and the culture of the Jewish people.  Their studies culminated in their festive marriage, surrounded by many friends and fellow new immigrants from all over the world, who joined them in joyous dance and song.

Another festive event was celebrated in honor of 40 young Ethiopian men on the Kedma program,  who in the midst of a challenging learning program, are also undergoing a conversion process.
 
Thanks to the Jewish Agency, they are now equipped for their next spiritual level and have been each presented with their own individual pair of Tefillin. They were blessed by teachers and rabbis for a life of continued learning, good deeds and growth among the Jewish people.