Eduardo and Yehudit thought that they had ideal lives in Argentina. With extensive academic backgrounds, they both had good jobs, comfortable incomes and countless friends. But two years ago, when Argentina's economy collapsed, so too did Eduardo and Yehudit's illusion of security. The firm for which Eduardo worked went bankrupt and Yehudit's income dropped by half. When a representative from the Jewish Agency met with the couple in Buenos Aires to discuss aliyah options, it became clear that Israel was the place for them. In February 2002, Eduardo and Yehudit Seleson arrived at Ben Gurion Airport as new olim.

"Israel is very different from Argentina. There's a lot we have to get used to, but we feel like we have finally come home," Eduardo Seleson.

ISRAEL IS IN CRISIS
Over the last decade, Keren Hayesod has helped bring one million new olim to Israel. Since the beginning of the decade, new challenges have arisen from unexpected quarters. The rampant anti-Semitism raging through France and the economic crisis that is engulfing South America have made aliyah from France, Argentina and Uruguay a national priority.

The once flourishing Jewish community of Argentina is facing a serious crisis. One quarter of the Jews in Argentina live under the poverty line. The severe economic crisis that has swept the country has left thousands unemployed and unable to provide for their families. Many have been forced to live in the streets and under bridges, depending entirely on the economic support provided by charity institutions and local synagogues. Those who were once part of a stable middle class, now have to stand in line at soup kitchens to receive a warm meal for the weekend.

There are some 200,000 Jews living in Argentina today. The severe economic recession that Argentina has been experiencing in recent years has caused many to lose their livelihoods. It is currently estimated that over 50,000 Jews are living below the poverty line, in need of food, clothing, medicines and medical treatment.

The economic crisis in Argentina is spreading to other countries in South America. Uruguay is now experiencing an economic recession in proportions similar to that in Argentina. Their currency has already been devalued by 100%. As a result, some 500 olim came to Israel from Uruguay at the end of 2002 and a large influx is expected in 2003.

Keren Hayesod supports flights from Argentina and Uruguay, together with a freight subsidy and provides an initial "settling in" grant, provides housing in an absorption center for 6 months and a 5-month Hebrew language ulpan. Special programs developed for specific target groups include Direct Aliyah programs for families, the lohar high school program, which enables parents to send their teenage children to Israel in a structured educational framework and post high- school programs such as the one-year Selah program.