Every adult can easily recall the every-day anxiety, stresses and pressures of being a teenager that can surface without notice or legitimate explanation. But the teenagers of NESTO (Native English Speaking Teen Olim) have even bigger issues to deal with, as more and more families decide to make the big move to Israel. More teenagers find themselves uprooted from their former homes, schools, and friends, only to be faced with the necessity to acclimate to an unfamiliar country now known as home.
In 1993, a group of American Olim [new immigrants to Israel] found themselves in need of a support group to help them meet others similar to themselves. As their idea caught on, the Orthodox Union (OU) decided to take them under their wing, and NESTO was born. Today, NESTO is under the sponsorship of both the OU and the Jewish Agency, and boasts about 120 youths. The program includes meetings on a weekly basis, homework help, trips across the country, and frequent activities ranging from talent shows to trips to the local bowling alley.
"Our goal is to integrate the kids into Israeli society." says NESTO director Chaim Pelzner. "The idea is that they should have everything they need here. We have computers, a stocked refrigerator, a social worker, and endless programming on a constant basis. Twenty-four hours a day, we are here”,
The organization prides itself on the philosophy of being surrounded by others who understand the daily struggles of the Olim. "When I made Aliyah in the sixth grade, it was very difficult," says assistant director Jeremy Mansultan. "I was the only American in my school. One of the things that hurt me the most was that I had no idea that a place like NESTO even existed. When I finally did discover NESTO, I was in the 10th grade, and the counselors quickly became like big brothers to me." After graduating from the program, Mansultan became a counselor and eventually the assistant director of the program. "NESTO gave me so much that I wanted to give something back," he explains.
Fifteen-year-old Hadas Maccaba moved to Israel with her family at the age of 13 from London. She now considers NESTO her home away from home. "The schools here don’t help you enough with the adjustment," she says. "Math is taught in Hebrew, yet I’m still expected to know exactly what is going on and to earn good grades. NESTO is a great place for Olim. I just wish I had come sooner after I moved. I have made strong friendships with many other kids from here. NESTO is a great place to just hang out, relax, and be myself."
NESTO's success is shown through the vast number of graduates who go on to become counselors. Mansultan confirms: "Making Aliyah can be difficult. What we want to do is help people. We play the role of big sibling, and sometimes even of parent. Our mission is to help our kids through understanding and relating."