In 1989, the privately owned, formerly posh Diplomat Hotel in Jerusalem was appropriated by the Absorption Ministry for Soviet immigrants. It was called “a five-star slum” and a miserable place to live, especially for the old and infirm. Nowadays it is considered a Welfare Hostel. Today’s "guests" are a group of people who have not been able to successfully integrate into Israeli society.
Alice, the activities director, works to create a Community among the residents. They have developed an on-site ulpan (teaching Hebrew to elderly immigrants), a library and thrift shop and an extraordinary resident choir. Alice coordinates activities and social services and looks for outside funds to give the residents some extras. There are no shops nearby.
Alice also runs the “Metaplim” program which pays for home care and assistance to the residents who need help with transportation to doctors and other errands and a “Basic Needs” program that prevents seniors from having to choose between food, dental care, prescriptions and prosthetics.
Many afternoon activities have been discontinued due to decreased funding. HOT no longer funds the choir or the exercise program. This year, HOT has already given Alice $9,525 in grants ($6,000 for Metaplim, $1,125 for the ulpan and $2,400 to the “Basic Needs” program).
We would like our donors to designate up to an additional $6,000 to the Basic Needs program so that no senior should have to choose between food, dental care, prescriptions and prosthetics.