Michova Byba, 3, colors in a book about kibbutzim.
Jennifer Allzalov, 2,
meets a duck on the "kibbutz."
Tabl Pak speaks to her brother in Tel Aviv.
Long-Distance
Reconnections
JEFF program links Russians with
family and friends in Israel.
RUTH L1TTMANN STAFF WRITER
llison Rakitin hasn't
spoken to one of her fa-
vorite girlfriends in
more than a year. The
Russian teen-agers,
companions since early
childhood, headed in
different directions
upon leaving the for-
mer Soviet Union not
too long ago.
Allison, 16, moved
to the United States.
Her friend made aliyah. But
they finally established a long-
distance connection on April 17
during an event sponsored by
Jewish Experiences For Fam-
ilies (JEFF).
More than 200 people
showed up for JEFF's "Expe-
rience Israel," program, held
at the Oak Park Jewish Com-
munity Center. The event
aimed to help new Americans
learn about the country they've
never seen, but have heard
much about through loved ones
who immigrated there after
the fall of the Iron Curtain.
As one of its most popular
activities, the JEFF program
offered new Americans an op-
portunity to place free, three-
minute phone calls to friends
and family members in Israel,
compliments of MCI.
"My friend and I talked
about school," said Allison.
"She said she missed me and I
said maybe next year I will be
in Israel. She was so happy."
JEFF's program began at
1 p.m., but nearly 80 enthusi-
astic participants signed up
to make calls hours before.
Volunteer Alexander Gold-
berg said new Americans were
delighted with the chance to
communicate long-distance.
"For people who come from
the former Soviet Union, there
are a lot of relatives, a lot of
friends in Israel. That's why it
is so important to make a con-
nection," he said. "I think it's a
perfect idea."
So did MCI, which is ex-
panding to an international
market. Kelly Davis, an MCI
representative, said the corpo-
ration uses such forums to
mutual benefit: allowing
immigrants to get in touch
with relatives while promoting
their international calling pro-
gram.
In accordance with its own
mission, JEFF sponsored Sun-
day's event to help bring new
Americans closer to Jewish tra-
dition and culture. Participants
signed a banner, which they
will carry during the Walk For
Israel, to be held May 1 at the
Maple-Drake JCC. They also
viewed a short movie about the
history of Israel.
"We want to educate people
about Israel before they walk
for it," said Sue Stettner,
JEFF's executive director.
Sunday's event also featured
different booths representing
places in Israel. There was a
mini-kibbutz where children
met "Blossom" the lamb, two
ducks, a goat and roosters. By
overseeing an arts and crafts
table, Harriet Alpern, a JEFF
volunteer, helped children like
10-year-old Anna Klimko un-
derstand the concepts behind
kibbutzim.
In the exporting city of
"Haifa," children decorated
shipping boxes with pictures
of Israel-manufactured goods.
In the "Negev Desert," they
dug for ancient shards and
coins.
"Cafe Dizengoff" was the
one-stop spot for falafel and
hummus in the city that nev-
er sleeps, Tel Aviv. And, in
"Jerusalem," new Americans
affixed messages to a card-
board Western Wall. Ms. Stet-
tner said the notes will actually
be taken to the Wall by some-
one who travels there.
Back in the telephone room,
Sarra Khaykina spoke with
her sister. Smiling, she hung cy,
o,
up the phone and said: "She's —
very happy in Israel. I try to
speak to her often, but it's very c\I
expensive for me."
Said Ellie Slovis of JEFF,
"It's so difficult to have fami- .c<1-
lies split."
"It's a mitzvah to reconnect
them," Ms. Stettner said. El
15