The Jerusalem District Police and the Jewish Agency, under the sponsorship of the Friendship Fund, arranged a special visit for parents whose children moved to Israel and currently serve in the military or police force.  The Friendship Fund, led by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, donated $50,000 to bring the parents for a weeklong visit.

Thirty parents from across the former Soviet Union came for a seven-day trip to Israel, during which they were able to finally meet their children in service, whom they had not seen for two and, in some cases, even three, years.  Among the parents were those with two children serving in the military and police force.  The police officers are doing their military service in the police force and border control force in the Jerusalem district.  Most of the solders and policemen emigrated to Israel as part of educational programs run by the Jewish Agency, such as Selah ("Students Before Parents") and Na'aleh ("Youth Emigrating Before Parents").

08.12.05