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2. Employment Department
3. Housing Department
4. Center for Absorption in Science
5. Community Absorption Department
6. Student Authority
7. Planning and Research Department
8. Ben Gurion Airport Department
9. Publications Department
10. Business Entrepreneurship Department
11. Returning Residents Department
12. Public Inquiries Department
13. Information Systems Department
14. Quality of Service Department
15. District, Bureau, and Branch Offices
16. Department of Documentation and Eligibility
17. Unit for the Absorption of Ethiopian Immigrants
18. The Legal Bureau
19. Director of Budgets
20. The Comptroller
21. Internal Auditing Division
22. Human Resources
23. Training Division
24. Security
25. The Spokesman's Bureau and the Information Officer
1. Ministry Administration
The Ministry Administration consolidates, plans, and outlines immigrant absorption policy, in coordination with other government ministries whose spheres of authority cover matters relevant to immigrant absorption. Coordination and approval processes are carried out by the Ministerial Committee on Immigration, Absorption, and the Diaspora. The Ministry Administration is also responsible for policy implementation, in cooperation with local authorities, and various public, financial, and community institutions and bodies, which deal with immigrant absorption.
2. Employment Department
The Employment Department works towards maximal integration of new immigrants in the employment market in Israel. This is done primarily through a network of guidance centers, courses, and professional retraining programs, which are aimed at the placement of new immigrants in jobs that match, as closely as possible, their educational backgrounds, training, and experience. The Employment Department assumes the view that it is essential to exploit the talents of new immigrants, both for their own personal wellbeing, and for the benefit of the society as a whole. The Employment Department's programs are carried out in coordination with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the Israel Industrialists Association, and various immigrant organizations.
3. Housing Department
The Housing Department is responsible for planning and implementing assistance in the area of housing for new immigrants. The Housing Department coordinates the various types of assistance and the criteria for receiving them with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Housing, through the Ministerial Committee on Immigration, Absorption, and the Diaspora. The Department's areas of responsibility include allocation of public housing, determining levels of assistance in the form of rental subsidies and mortgages, and initiation of housing options for special immigrant groups, including hostels and group housing for pensioners.
4. Center for Absorption in Science
The Center for Absorption in Science helps immigrant scientists find employment in institutions of higher education, research institutes, technological incubators, and in the industrial and business sectors. The Center recognizes the significant contribution that immigrant scientists make to the Israeli economy and assists them in obtaining suitable conditions for research and development.
5. Community Absorption Department
The Community Absorption Department is responsible for the ongoing process of social, cultural, and linguistic absorption among new immigrants, while encouraging ethnic cultural expression and cultivation of community-based leadership. The Community Absorption Department's activities are conducted in coordination with the absorption committees of the local authorities, as well as with the various immigrant organizations.
6. Student Authority
The Student Authority is a body, operated under the auspices of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption and the Jewish Agency, which deals with all affairs concerning immigrant students at institutions of higher education. The Student Authority's services include educational guidance and counseling, information on educational options, and financial aid in the form of scholarships and loans for eligible students.
7. Planning and Research Department
The Planning and Research Department plays a vital role in the development of immigration absorption policy, gathers statistics relevant to immigration and absorption, plans immigration programs for selected groups, and conducts research and surveys at the request of the Ministry Administration.
8. Ben Gurion Airport Department
The Ben Gurion Airport Department is responsible for the initial absorption procedures immediately following arrival in the country. The Department issues the new immigrant an immigrant certificate (te'udat oleh), an identity number (mispar zehut), a voucher for health insurance, and the first payment of the "absorption basket" ("sal klita") to those who are eligible for direct absorption.'
9. Publications Department
The Publications Department provides detailed and up-to-date information to new immigrants in Israel, through a host of publications available in several languages, including Hebrew, Russian, English, French, and Spanish. The information covers all matters relevant to new immigrants in Israel, including housing, employment, health, education, National Insurance (bituach le'umi), and consumer awareness. Beyond issuing booklets, pamphlets, guides, bulletins, and magazines, the Publications Department is responsible for the Ministry's newspaper announcements, film and video production, and radio and television broadcasts.
10. Business Entrepreneurship Department
The Business Entrepreneurship Department supports and encourages immigrant entrepreneurs who are interested in establishing independent businesses. The Department cooperates with various public bodies in order to provide professional services to new immigrants wishing to operate independent businesses, and offers financial support for the establishment, acquisition, and expansion and consolidation of small businesses.
11. Returning Residents Department
The Returning Residents Department deals with matters concerning Israeli citizens who have returned to Israel after stays of at least two years abroad.
12. Public Inquiries Department
The Public Inquiries Department is the main body handling inquiries and complaints of new immigrants, as well as the institutions or organizations that represent them. The Department replies to each inquiry thoroughly, and provides comprehensive and up-to-date information to all interested parties. The Department mediates between the individual immigrant and the various units or departments of the Ministry, updates the immigrant regarding eligibility requirements and procedures for receiving assistance, and provides referrals for appeals processes. The Department also offers a service to new immigrants who are attempting to locate their relatives.
13. Information Systems Department
The Information Systems Department is charge of the proper functioning of all of the computer and teleprocessing systems of the Ministry, and hence is responsible for the accessibility of up-to-date and reliable information for new immigrants and returning residents. The Ministry's computer systems serve immigrants at Ben Gurion Airport and at all of the district, bureau, and branch offices of the Ministry throughout the country. The Ministry's central data base contains information on approximately 1,300,000 immigrants who came to Israel during the last 25 years, around 900,000 of whom arrived during the wave of immigration that began in 1989.
14. Quality of Service
15. District, Bureau, and Branch Offices
16. Department of Documentation and Eligibility
The Department of Documentation and Eligibility is responsible for implementing direct absorption procedures and assistance to new immigrants. It provides payments of the "absorption basket" and customs grants to eligible immigrants. The Department also deals with projects promoting aliyah, and maintains contact with the Jewish Agency on issues regarding the aliyah process. Employees of the Department are in charge of determining an immigrant's eligibility for benefits, and of issuing teudot oleh. The Department is also in charge of implementation of ministry procedures.
17. Unit for the Absorption of Ethiopian Immigrants.
This unit of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption oversees several areas. These include:
 Planning for, and reception of, immigrants, immediately upon arrival at Ben Gurion airport, up until their placement in temporary housing;
Operation and maintenance of all temporary housing sites;
Assistance in finding permanent housing;
Organizing social activities for residents of temporary housing sites;
Coordination of procedures and regular project planning with groups that deal with the advancement of the Ethiopian immigrant community;
Management of educational programs and school fees;
Processing of payments and ongoing activities;
Planning, management and funding of neighborhood centers.
18. The Legal Bureau
The Legal Bureau provides legal counsel to the Ministry, and participates in various committees (inter-ministerial committees, Ministers' committees, Knesset committees,) prepares legal opinions and contracts, instructs Ministry employees on various issues, and handles lawsuits filed against, or by, the Ministry.
19. Director of Budgets
The Director of Budgets is in charge of ministerial budgetary planning, of preparing Ministry budget proposals, and of ensuring that budget proposals for Ministry divisions are in accordance with the goals set by the administration.
20. The Comptroller
The Comptroller is in charge of implementing the Ministry budget, which in the year 2000 totaled NIS 1,926,303. The Comptroller is responsible for executing all aspects of the budget; directly assisting olim, and paying suppliers and various institutions supported by the Ministry.
Summary of the Division's Projects for the Year 2000
The Comptroller stresses strict review of the monetary transactions conducted by the Ministry, computerization and simplification of financial procedures, payments to immigrants, standardizing payments within the accounts department, auditing of rental subsidies, reimbursements to entrepreneurs, preparation of extensive support systems, and other activities.
21. Internal Auditing Division
The Internal Auditing Division is a self-contained, non-affiliated body within the Ministry that serves to examine and evaluate Ministry activities. The Division's main function is to assist Ministry employees in effectively performing their duties. The Division does so by providing data, statistics, information and advice pertaining to activities that have been reviewed. The Division evaluates the suitability, efficiency and quality of internal audits within the Ministry, and checks the credibility and thoroughness of information. It also reviews mechanisms designed to implement policies, programs, procedures, regulations, laws, and amendments, and reviews ways to maintain assets. Further, it evaluates financial standing and spending, and the effective use of resources. The Division also evaluates various projects and the extent to which they have achieved their goals.
Summary of the Division's Activities for the Year 2000
This year's evaluation focused on non-profit organizations supported by the Ministry and/or the Bequests Committee. It also conducted checks of various Ministry departments and submitted reports on housing and business entrepreneurship to the Ministry administration. Further, the Division evaluated public complaints that were referred by the administration, or came directly from the public, checked the level of services at the district offices and bureaus, and maintained close, ongoing contact with internal and outside bodies in order to coordinate the Ministry's work.
22. Human Resources
The Human Resources Department implements government and Ministry policies regarding administration and human resources. The department is responsible for the following areas:
Recruitment of workers.
Referrals to psychometric tests and publication of public tenders for available positions.
Intake of new workers according to their employment status (temporary, contractual, authorized).
Promotion of workers.
Appointment of new employees.
Referral of employees to training courses for upgrading professional expertise.
Processing of retirements.
Carrying out all procedures, regulations and laws related to employees.
Implementation of agreements as stated in the civil service code.
Promotion of workers' welfare.
23. Training Division
The Training Division works on the national level, and coordinates with other bodies to provide training at district offices.
The main objectives of the Division are:
Organization and development of professional topics and issues.
Continuous updating and professional upgrading of Ministry staff, while defining the realistic demands of various positions.
Management training and development.
Adapting information systems within the Ministry to serve as an accessible, efficient tool for employees.
Promotion of the concept of improved service as an integrated procedure within every training or advancement program.
Creating opportunities for personal enrichment and development.
These objectives were arrived at after drawing upon experience gained from previous activities in order to achieve Ministry goals.
The Division has additional activities related to the various Ministry departments and administration. Needs are prioritized according to level of importance.
The Division makes an effort to relate to employees on an individual basis. It helps them to realize their potential by aiding with tuition and granting paid leave so they can complete high school, post-high school studies, or take further training courses for professional upgrading.
24. SecurityDepartment Description:
The Security Department is responsible for some 50 Ministry facilities, including the main office, branches, caravan sites, and locations with large concentrations of immigrants. The Department handles all aspects of the physical security of the facilities, protection of information, security for computers, and for the Minister of Immigrant Absorption. The Department is overseen by the Israel Police with respect to all matters connected to physical security, and by other security forces for other areas.
Summary of the Department's Activities in the Year 2000.
Briefings were held for emergency teams at 27 Ministry facilities. At caravan sites training sessions were held in fire prevention, the use of firearms, target practice, and refresher courses for guards and security personnel. Drills were held that included security procedures, and exercises for handling false explosives planted at Ministry offices.
Periodic checks of all security measures were conducted at each Ministry facility, as well the safeguarding of classified information at facilities where such information is held. The Department also updated area files, and installed public address systems and alarms. The Security Department undertook all necessary renovations in order to bring facilities up to the highest safety standards.
25. The Spokesman's Bureau and the Information Officer
The Ministry Spokesman and the Information Officer are responsible for representing the Ministry's activities to the local and national media.
The Spokesman's Bureau serves as a liaison between the various Ministry departments and the media. The Bureau arranges interviews, provides responses to queries, and performs other similar functions.
The Bureau is also in constant contact with national and local newspapers throughout the country, national and local radio stations, television channels, and various national Internet sites. The Bureau keeps the media updated on special and joint projects of the Ministry, and provides them with responses on issues that involve the Ministry as required.
Similarly, the Spokesman's Bureau and the Information Officer are responsible for issuing press releases, and notices to radio and television stations on behalf of various Ministry departments. The Bureau further supports communication with immigrants in their native languages, and promotes informational campaigns to strengthen the image of aliyah among veteran Israelis.
26. The Division for Improvement of Service
The Division for Improvement of Service was established in 1998, with the goal of developing and advancing the following areas: promoting quality and excellence within the Ministry, improving services to clients of the Ministry, and developing human resources within the Ministry. Attention is also paid to organization and work methods, e.g. improving work procedures, encouraging job satisfaction and achievements, and strengthening the Ministry's effectiveness, productivity, and efficiency.
The central aim of the Division is accessibility and quality of services, to both new immigrants and to Ministry employees.
Since 2001, the Division has stressed methods of quality management within Ministry departments in an ongoing manner. These methods are implemented by using national and district steering committees and coordinators, and by an internal moderating group that facilitates improvement teams throughout the country, and in which Ministry employees are involved.
The recommendations of improvement committees are implemented throughout the Ministry, and aid both in developing more efficient work methods, and in improving the services offered to new immigrants and to Ministry employees.
National Telephone Information Center - 03-9733333
The Ministry of Immigrant Absorption is at your service 24 hours a day!
Beginning in December, 2002, the Division for Improvement of Service has maintained a 24-hour a day Telephone Information Center at Ben Gurion Airport, operating every day with the exception of Shabbat and holidays.
The Information Center offers quick, professional attention to questions on the rights and benefits of new immigrants, information and support during terror attacks, and basic general information to new immigrants during the first stages of absorption.
The Telephone Information Center offers services in three languages: Hebrew, English, and Russian. On Mondays and Thursdays, information is also offered in Amharic, Spanish, and French, between the hours of 13:00 p.m. - 15:00 p.m.
Further information is available on the Ministry Website.
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