Synopsis:

Participants fill in or discuss the cultural complement of the Soviet oleh on arrival and after his/her encounter with Israel.

Aims: 
- To contextualize previous discussions.
- To enhance awareness of the acculturation process, including the oleh's contribution.
- To foster decision-making.
- Concluding activity.

Age: 14 upwards
Time: 1 hour
Materials: A copy of the "suitcases" diagram for each participant. Suitable for use on Shabbat as a discussion.

Procedure:

1. Each participant receives a copy of the first suitcase, and is asked to say (write): What Soviet (Russian) Jews brought to Israel in their suitcases.
2. Review what participants said/wrote (in pairs or as a group).
3. The second suitcase is distributed, and the participants are asked to say:
   What new things Soviet (Russian) olim put into their suitcases in Eretz Yisrael.
4. Review and discuss all these ideas in relation to:
   • expectations, dreams, ideals...
   • lives they left behind, friends, family, history...
   • education, training and experience they contribute..
   • material objects, books, pictures, souvenirs, furniture..
   • encounter with another culture.. (culture shock? adaptation)
   • and any other aspects you consider important...
5. How does this fit in with Rabbi Hammer's Dvar Torah?
6. Conclude the series of activities with a review of Israel's achievements and those directly related to Soviet/Russian Jews now living in Israel.