The ‘Penima’ religious Zionist magazine for Women salutes immigrant women who have overcome the odds and made their homes in Israel. Helena Mendelson completed her medical studies in Norway and then immigrated with her family. She trained for medical Hebrew at a special ulpan, and passed with success. “I wanted a good Jewish education for my children. From a young age I knew my true home would be Israel.
Hagit Menashe’s family converted to Judaism while they still lived in India. They immigrated when Hagit was 8 years old after religious persecution in India, and Hagit (25) was successfully integrated into the Israeli school system. She says she does not want to repeat the ordeal of bidding her family in India farewell , and so has no wish to return there to visit.