Masha and Sharon, 3-year-old twins, were brought to Israel from the former Soviet Union by their parents. Not knowing Hebrew, they had a hard time assimilating to their new environment. This led to behavioural problems, which compounded their social isolation. Their parents' difficult assimilation process added to the problem. In order to help Masha and Sharon, the staff at the Givat Avni Day Care Center asked other parents who spoke Russian to teach them some key phrases, so that they could communicate with the twins. As a result of the perseverance of the staff, Masha and Sharon became accustomed to the framework, expectations and activities in the Center. Their Hebrew has improved greatly and they have many friends. Knowing that their children were well cared for during the day, Masha and Sharon's parents were able to enroll in an Ulpan and learn Hebrew, which opened the doors for them to find jobs.
ISRAEL IS IN CRISIS
Early childhood frameworks enable mothers to enter the work-force while providing children with a nurturing environment and nutritious meals.
Israel has long recognized this fact, and attributes primary importance to developing early childhood frameworks as a way to fight poverty at its source and promote assimilation in this multi-cultural society. A large number of families rely on two working parents in order to make ends meet. Day Care Centers .: enable both parents to enter the work-force, safe in the knowledge that their children are well cared for and that they will not go hungry. The children receive nutritious meals, loving care and progressive, stimulating educational programs, which will provide them with an intellectual head start that they may not receive at home.
Day care centers also promote the integration of new immigrants. The children learn the Hebrew language and Israeli culture on an equal footing with Israeli- born children, and their parents have the opportunity to meet and befriend other parents, rather than remaining in isolation.
The establishment of day care centers throughout the country has been designated a national priority. Keren Hayesod has undertaken to fund the construction of day care centers in Israel's underprivileged neighborhoods.