The Absorption Center

The absorption center we are staying in in Beersheva is called Merkaz Kleeta Ye'elim. The literature says there are 250 beds there though it seems like more. The room are decent, no AC but a decent breeze. The bathrooms are ok: the toilets have two flushes, weak and strong. The shower is an indication of the first world/third world status of Israel: super high-tech yet frequently cannot make a shower that drains properly. So we are squeegie-ing. We have two doubles and a single (we played rock paper scissors five way, I made it to the final round after opening with paper, but then lost to my buddy Brian when I opted for scissors and he countered with rock. Damn you cursed scissors!).

THe building is the longest in Israel, the Otzmanikim live down a long hallway, many of the rooms are for the immigrants. The immigrants are from all over, but most are from the former Soviet Union (particualrly Russia), Latin American (Argentina, Cuba, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil) and, remarkably, India. The Ethiopians are all at a different center because they require the most help. It's weird to see Indians, occasionally in traditional Indian garb, who are Jewish, but they are here.

The immigrants are friendly and happy to see us. They seem thrilled to be in Israel. I find it absolutely incredible that even with all the terror here, Israel has able to maintain it's status as extremely desirable for Jewish immigrants. Indeed, Israel is desperate to have them, and they are desparate to come. Some may come out of a commitment to Zionism, but most come for a bettr life, and remarkably, and though it is tough at first, Israel provides that. This makes me very proud.