Relocation to Israel with teens

Relocation to another land with adolescents can be a daunting experience for the whole family. When you decide to take such a step as relocation to Israel, there are many nuances to consider beforehand to make the process as smooth and comfortable as possible for your teenage children. From the choice of residence and school to the peculiarities of adaptation – everything requires careful preparation and understanding of the age peculiarities of adolescents.

Preparing teens for aliyah

Preparing adolescents for aliyah (immigration to Israel) is an essential process that requires heed and planning. Here are a few aspects to consider:

Educating in Israel

Educating for adolescents is organised according to a system that covers different levels and types of educational institutions. Let’s look at the main aspects of the educating system that may be useful for parents and adolescents planning to move.

Educating structure:

• Preschool: up to age 6 – not compulsory, but many children attend kindergarten.
• Primary school: from age 6 to 12 (grades 1-6) – compulsory.
• Secondary school: from 12 to 18 years (grades 7-12) – divided into two parts.

Types of schools:

• Public schools: free, follow the state programme. Educating is conducted in Hebrew.
• Public pious schools: similar to public schools, but with an emphasis on Hebrew and Jew pious texts.
• Private and international schools: may follow different educational programmes (e.g. IB, British or American systems). Usually tuition is paid.

Curriculum and assessment:

• The core subjects studied are Hebrew, maths, science, history, geography and others.
• At the end of grade 12, students take examinations that are essential for obtaining a high school diploma and may affect the possibility of admission to universities.

Additional Capacities:

• Schools in Israel offer a variety of clubs, sports and extracurricular activity to help develop the skills and interests of adolescents.
• There are capacities to attend in youth programmes, camps and exchanges.

Schools have counselling services to help teens adjust to life in a new land. Schools often offer support for new immigrant families to ease the transition. After completing basic educating, there is the possibility of continuing on to higher educating institutions, which also offer a wide range of programmes in Hebrew and English. Educating in Land is inclusive and supportive, making the adjustment process for adolescents smoother and more comfortable.

Learning Hebrew

Learning Hebrew as an adolescent after emigration can be quite challenging, but also a very essential process. Here are some peculiarities of such a situation:

• Tongue barrier. For an adolescent who grew up in a different tongue environment, the transition to Hebrew can be difficult. It takes time and effort to master a new tongue.
• Social adjustment. Learning Hebrew is closely related to integrating into a new social environment. It is essential for an adolescent to make friends, communicate with peers and teachers.
• Progress in learning the tongue will depend on the desire of the adolescent and his family. It is essential that the child understands the need to master Hebrew.
• School programme. In Israel, there is a system of intensive Hebrew instruction for returnees. This can help the adolescent adapt more quickly.
• Family support. Parents can help a child a lot by participating in his or her educating, helping with homework, and practising the tongue at home.

Despite the difficulties, learning Hebrew opens up new capacities for the teenage returnee to integrate, educate and further develop. It is an essential step on the way to adapting to a new land.

Social and civilized integration

The State has programmes aimed at facilitating the integration of adolescents. For example, there is a programme for schoolchildren who want to obtain secondary education and a matriculation certificate. It provides for the following:

• a curriculum that has been optimised for emigrants;
• classes in Hebrew and other disciplines;
• psychological and social assistance.

Religious and cultural factors

There are some essential pious and civilized factors to consider the relocation. Religiosity and traditions: Israel is a predominantly Jew land, so it is essential to realise and respect Judaism and the traditions associated with it. The degree of religiosity varies widely, from secular to ultra-Orthodox communities. Honour of the Shabbat, kashrut (pious food laws), holidays and other pious practices can be essential.

Tongue: The main tongue is Hebrew. Knowledge of Hebrew is very useful for communication and integration into society. Many Israelis are also fluent in English, especially in major cities.

Social Structure:

• Israeli society is very ethnically and culturally diverse, with strong family and community ties.
• Military service is compulsory for most citizens, which forms a special military-patriotic culture.

Mentality and daily life:

• Israelis can be more direct and assertive in their communication compared to other cultures.
• Daily life is often organised around Shabbat and pious holidays.

For successful integration, it is essential to show respect for local traditions and customs and to be prepared for some lifestyle adaptation.

Tips for parents

During relocation parents of an adolescent will face the number of essential aspects to which they should pay special heed. First of all, it is essential to realise that for an adolescent, the move can be associated with significant changes and adaptation difficulties. One of the keys to successful integration is learning Hebrew. It is essential for parents to motivate their adolescent to actively engage in the tongue, suggest that he or she attend tongue courses, watch films and listen to music in Hebrew. This will help him or her to settle into the new environment more quickly, make social contacts and feel more comfortable.

It is equally essential to pay heed to the emotional state of the adolescent. Relocation to an unfamiliar land can cause anxiety, stress, and a sense of loss of loved ones and familiar surroundings. Parents should be patient, supportive and create an atmosphere of acceptance. It is worth encouraging the adolescent to share their feelings, organise family discussions, and help them find constructive ways to cope with difficulties.

Parents should also take into account that the educating system in Israel may be different from what the adolescent is used to. They are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the specifics of the Israeli school system, and to help teenager navigate the new requirements and attitudes. It is also helpful to encourage the adolescent to attend in extracurricular activity, such as sports, hobby clubs, and volunteer programmes, which will help them to build social connections and gain new life experiences.

Finally, remember to keep in touch with family and friends back home. This will help the adolescent maintain a sense of identity and connection to his or her roots. The successful adjustment of an adolescent in Israel requires parents to be patient, flexible, understanding and willing to provide ongoing emotional support. It is essential to create a safe and supportive environment for the adolescent, where he or she can go through a period of change and form a new system of values and life guidelines.