The gathering was the first time that the immigrants participated in such an event. Under the auspices of the Jewish Agency program "Together at Home," additional such meetings between the new immigrants and native Israelis are scheduled.
In a related item, Youth Scouts from Lehavim, north of Be'er Sheva, recently met with a group of new immigrants from Argentina for an evening of getting acquainted with one another.
At the meeting, volunteer veteran immigrants and native Israeli families were paired off with new immigrants to help in their absorption by initiating ongoing social ties.
A warm and happy atmosphere prevailed during the evening, during which the new immigrants became acquainted with the Scouts through recreational/social games. The next meeting is already scheduled, with the olim [immigrants] being hosted at their new friends' homes.
The Argentinian olim immigrated to Israel in the framework of a program which absorbs new immigrants in the hotel management branch. The group resides at the Jewish Agency's Ye'elim absorption center.