Eyal Vakin from the Shlavim Organization: "We Have Become the Economic Address for Baalei Teshuva in Israel"

Eyal Vakin, the employment coordinator of the "Shlavim" organization, joined the organization two years ago, standing at the forefront of economic support among Baalei Teshuva in Israel. "Shlavim is a different world," he said with satisfaction. "A world of mutual aid in a dignified and respectful manner, aiming to provide the best for those who reach out." In my conversation with him, I delved into the fascinating and important activities of the organization, which has transformed the lives of hundreds of people by matching them with dignified, profitable jobs suitable for their personalities and lifestyles.

Phones Around the Clock

During my conversation with Vakin, his phone wouldn't stop ringing. "It's part of the job," he notes with a smile, sharing how he became the employment coordinator of the organization. "Shlavim belongs to Wolfe Foundation. When I decided to enter the workforce and looked for a suitable job for me, I received good recommendations about the organization. I am a Baal Teshuva myself and felt that this organization, which helps others like me, was the right place for me." Before joining Shlavim, Eyal studied in a kolel. "With my return to religious observance over a decade and a half ago, I joined a yeshiva. From there, I progressed to a kolel and took great satisfaction from the learning, but over time, I understood that I needed to go out and work," Eyal says, with the pain of leaving the study place resonating in his voice.

What led you specifically to this field?

"I connected deeply with Shlavim’s vision – which primarily aims to integrate Baalei Teshuva into the complex employment world, allowing them to continue adhering to their lifestyles while enabling them to work in profitable jobs that suit their personality," he says, noting that Shlavim has become the main economic address for Baalei Teshuva in Israel in recent years.

One of the reasons is that Shlavim works with Baalei Teshuva in various circumstances, both spiritual and economic. "Some of the requests we receive are from people interested in upgrading, meaning: finding a more dignified or profitable job, or from those seeking positions that better allow them to integrate within the Torah-observant community. Additionally, we help kolel scholars wanting to work, and those who have entered severe economic difficulties and want to get back on track. With B'siyata D'shmaya, we address each request according to their need until a suitable solution is found," explains Eyal.

Why does there need to be an organization solely to help Baalei Teshuva find work?

"Our goal is to build economic resilience for Baal Teshuva families, which is crucial both in the teshuva process and for family stabilization. It’s important for Baalei Teshuva to have this guidance to smoothly integrate into the Torah-observant society. To enable this, we offer them the opportunity to find jobs where they can contribute to the community and experience satisfaction and meaning from their work. Most importantly, they find jobs fitting their lifestyle.

"A particularly important piece of this puzzle is the initial assessment, during which we discuss with the participant what they're looking for, both materially and spiritually. We examine how much time they want to dedicate to Torah study each day and what workplace style suits their way of life. Additionally, we conduct a typical market assessment to match a person’s character to the right job considering all aspects."

Who does the organization assist?

"The organization's activities focus on all Baalei Teshuva populations in Israel. As part of our activities, we provide subsidized economic assistance to Baal Teshuva families of all kinds, including the second generation – the children of Baalei Teshuva. Also, it's important to mention that our activities target both men and women."

"A Diploma is Sometimes Just a Piece of Paper"

What does your activity include?

"We provide assistance to each applicant based on the type of help needed. Someone looking to work as an employee undergoes an employment assessment, allowing them to understand which job suits them. This assessment, usually priced at 1,500 shekels in the open market, is offered by us for a symbolic cost of only 100 shekels. After the assessment, when the person knows what profession suits them, they meet with Shlavim’s business advisors to explore the various possibilities available. "We receive calls from people from vastly different styles," Eyal points out. "Some want to combine learning and working, others prefer strictly Torah-based workplaces, and others focus on jobs providing the greatest profit while maintaining their spiritual values. This is exactly what Shlavim assesses with each individual who contacts us."

At Shlavim, they accompany applicants even when they need to study a profession before joining the field. When someone wants to pursue a degree at university or college, they receive support, guidance, and assistance: “Following the professional assessment, which gives the examinee insight into the most suitable profession, Shlavim calculates the optimal place of study for them, considering both schedule and educational values, helping them find the perfect fit," says Vakin. According to him, "Even afterward, Shlavim continues to support the applicant. During this guidance, the organization's advisors assist with financing solutions and offer interest-free loans on studies, with flexible repayment options, allowing the learner to repay the loan in installments even after completing their professional education. Additionally, the organization liaises between the individual and various bodies aiding study financing through different funds."

Sometimes, the person needs to learn a profession through courses, and they also receive assistance from Shlavim: "We guide them and assist in getting a voucher from the state, granting them 70%-90% of the total study cost."

Those looking to start their own business receive support in setting it up: "The guidance starts with business consulting, and afterward, they can receive interest-free loans from the organization," explains Eyal.

You focus a lot on helping people who want to learn a profession, but some are averse to prolonged study and prefer to work as a cashier in a supermarket, for example. What can you tell such people?

"It's important for these people to understand that a degree does not stop life," responds Vakin. "Besides, my life experience taught me that people working temporary jobs get burned out quickly. Another reason it’s crucial to find suitable and quality work – particularly among Baalei Teshuva – is that it greatly increases the chances for continuity and stability. I also want to highlight that this significantly upgrades the economic situation. After all, there's a notable difference between someone working in a phone shop and someone working as a programmer, for example."

Do you have any special projects you operate?

"Indeed. Soon, we are launching a unique program for men, providing a free education degree in teaching, specializing in math for the Baalei Teshuva community. The driving force behind this program's launch is the recent establishment of many schools and yeshivot that include secular subjects in their curricula, creating a significant demand for this profession, particularly given the scarcity of Torah-observant mathematics teachers with degrees.

"Our aim is for degree graduates to enter this profitable field, offering them a major advantage: the opportunity to engage in Torah study during the free time this profession offers, as it isn't a full-time teaching position. The degree also allows math teachers to privately tutor students for a substantial fee. Hence, degree holders can earn a nice salary while also having respect in the community, given that they teach at an important educational institution, thus enjoying the best of both worlds."

(Illustrative photo: shutterstock)

Can you share a story of someone who, thanks to you, is now in a well-paying job?

"There are quite a few stories like this. Our activity scale includes hundreds of families we support every year until they achieve their goals, and with Hashem's help, we see many successes. One recent case was when we guided an individual working with youth who wanted to pursue a course to advance in coaching and fitness to the Wingate Institute. He was about to enroll in a place that, had he studied there, the diploma he'd receive would be little more than a decorative paper to hang on the wall. With our help, he went to study at the Wingate Institute, and today he is very successful in his field with amazing collaborations."

Another particularly moving story shared by Vakin involves an individual who worked as a maggid shiur in a yeshiva. One day, the institution's administration decided to shift the institution's focus and replaced the entire staff. He was dismissed and suddenly found himself in the job market, unable to find his way. For six months, he was at home without work and without a future. To survive, he "ate" his savings and had to start rolling debts to support his family. After many upheavals, he reached our office.

"Initially, we provided him with a holiday voucher as first aid. We then made an effort to find him a job. Already during the initial interview, we discovered a significant lead: the man knew several languages. After finding this advantage, we secured him a job as a kashrut supervisor abroad. Today, he frequently travels between Israel and South Africa, where he works successfully as a kashrut supervisor. I cannot describe what his future would have been if he hadn't reached us at that time," concludes Eyal with satisfaction.

To contact the Shlavim Organization: eyalyvshlavim@gmail.comor via phone at0774050812