THE ORGANIZATION'S PRIMARY OBJECTIVE IS TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL, MEDICAL AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES TO NEW IMMIGRANTS AND UNDERPRIVILEGED PERSONS (AND THEIR FAMILIES) AS THEY FULFILL THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE ISRAELI DEFENSE FORCES ("IDF"). EACH YEAR, SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF PERSONS MAKE ALIYAH (EMIGRATE) TO ISRAEL TO ESCAPE PERSECUTION, OPPRESSION OR POVERTY OR TO SEEK RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. MANY DO NOT SPEAK HEBREW OR ENGLISH (ISRAEL'S MAJOR LANGUAGES) AND MANY HAVE NEVER BEEN EXPOSED TO, AND THEREFORE DO NOT UNDERSTAND, THE BASIC OPERATING TENETS OF WESTERN SOCIETY OR DEMOCRACY. THIS MAKES PARTICIPATION IN AND ASSIMILATION INTO SOCIETY DIFFICULT. BECAUSE SERVICE IN THE IDF IS LARGELY MANDATORY FOR ALL ISRAELIS, THE ORGANIZATION BELIEVES THAT THIS PERIOD OF SERVICE CREATES A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER EMIGRANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES APPROPRIATE EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES.