Sderot Welcomes New Immigrant Families Three Years After October 7
Three years after October 7, Sderot welcomes new immigrant families from North America, the CIS, and Ethiopia, offering personalized municipal support, professional integration, and community backing.
Three years after the October 7 massacre, the southern Israeli city of Sderot is not only rebuilding but also welcoming numerous immigrant families who have chosen to make the city their home. These newcomers come with diverse professional and academic backgrounds, hailing from North America, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Ethiopia through the nearby absorption village of Ivim, and the Bnei Menashe community.
"The absorption process begins even before the family lands in Sderot. It starts back in their country of origin, and here we make sure to assign a personal coordinator to each family," explained Deputy Mayor and Head of the Absorption Portfolio Hava Nachshunov. "The coordinator is a local figure who speaks the mother tongue of the arriving family, takes them by the hand, and assists them with every need, big or small. This way, they can cope with bureaucratic difficulties with much greater ease."
The municipal absorption department operates a team of four immigrant coordinators fluent in Amharic, Caucasian languages, Russian, and English. The assistance they provide includes accompanying families through registration with municipal institutions such as education, opening bank accounts, registering with health funds, and handling administrative procedures with the Ministry of the Interior and various other authorities.
Comprehensive Community Support
The fact that each community has a designated coordinator who speaks the language and knows the families allows the municipality to provide personalized absorption services. The support system also maintains ongoing tracking, managing a database that records educational institutions, daily experiences, and individual needs.
The steady influx of newcomers is the direct result of proactive outreach by the municipality's absorption department. Efforts include participation in physical and online aliya fairs, targeted engagement with prospective immigrant communities, and initiatives aimed at presenting Sderot as an attractive place to live.
Simultaneously, the city actively attracts professionals such as doctors, engineers, and high-tech workers. A recent New Year reception hosted by the mayor also welcomed rabbis, educators, sales professionals, and other specialists.
«There is a special significance to the fact that, three years after October 7, families are leaving their lives abroad and choosing to build their homes specifically in Sderot. This is a statement of faith in the city and its future», said Mayor Alon Davidi.
Returning Home and New Beginnings
Among the newcomers is Liran Sabony, 40, who returned to Israel after 18 years in Dallas, Texas, where he worked in sales, met his wife, and raised four children. Prompted by conversations with his sister about the quiet atmosphere and development in the area, Sabony decided to bring his family back.
«We are pleasantly surprised by the city», Sabony said. «There are great schools for the children, very warm people, and the area is developing rapidly. We met with the mayor this week, and we are being welcomed so warmly.»
Another arrival is the Sperber family, David and Rivka, who moved from New York. Rivka came through the Ogen Darom program, working as a physician fellow under the supervision of a specialist while completing her licensing process. David, a high-tech professional, continues his remote work for an American firm while teaching for two hours every morning at the local Hesder yeshiva.
«My wife's job was one of the main reasons we came here», Sperber said. «We decided to seize this opportunity and build our future in Sderot.»
