ABSTRACT
In Israel immigration is considered mainly the responsibility of the state, while employment is regarded as a major requirement for social absorption. In 1990, the Absorption Department of the Ministry of Science and Technology, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption, initiated retraining of scientists for high school teaching. The retraining policy required scientists to follow a downward vertical movement both in terms of professional and social status. In addition, the scientists were forced to abandon any attachment to their occupation and previously established professional networks and interests, and to adopt different orientations. The wave of Russian immigration between 1989 and 1991 brought a large number of highly qualified scientists to Israel. These immigrants were faced with social and professional integration problems. Absorption and adult-retraining problems are assumed to be major potential interfering variables in an immigrant retraining context.
