Native Israelis Research Articles

Periodontitis and Metabolic Syndrome: Statistical and Machine Learning Analytics of a Nationwide Study.

This study aimed to analyze the associations between periodontitis and metabolic syndrome (MetS) components and related conditions while controlling for sociodemographics, health behaviors, and caries levels among young and middle-aged adults. We analyzed data from the Dental, Oral, and Medical Epidemiological (DOME) record-based cross-sectional study that combines comprehensive sociodemographic, medical, and dental databases of a nationally representative sample of military personnel. The research consisted of 57,496 records of patients, and the prevalence of periodontitis was 9.79% (5630/57,496). The following parameters retained a significant positive association with subsequent periodontitis multivariate analysis (from the highest to the lowest OR (odds ratio)): brushing teeth (OR = 2.985 (2.739-3.257)), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (OR = 2.188 (1.545-3.105)), cariogenic diet consumption (OR = 1.652 (1.536-1.776)), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (OR = 1.483 (1.171-1.879)), smoking (OR = 1.176 (1.047-1.322)), and age (OR = 1.040 (1.035-1.046)). The following parameters retained a significant negative association (protective effect) with periodontitis in the multivariate analysis (from the highest to the lowest OR): the mean number of decayed teeth (OR = 0.980 (0.970-0.991)); North America as the birth country compared to native Israelis (OR = 0.775 (0.608-0.988)); urban non-Jewish (OR = 0.442 (0.280-0.698)); and urban Jewish (OR = 0.395 (0.251-0.620)) compared to the rural locality of residence. Feature importance analysis using the eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) machine learning algorithm with periodontitis as the target variable ranked obesity, OSA, and NAFLD as the most important systemic conditions in the model. We identified a profile of the "patient vulnerable to periodontitis" characterized by older age, rural residency, smoking, brushing teeth, cariogenic diet, comorbidities of obesity, OSA and NAFLD, and fewer untreated decayed teeth. North American-born individuals had a lower prevalence of periodontitis than native Israelis. This study emphasizes the holistic view of the MetS cluster and explores less-investigated MetS-related conditions in the context of periodontitis. A comprehensive assessment of disease risk factors is crucial to target high-risk populations for periodontitis and MetS.

What works for whom? Moderators in parental reflective functioning intervention

ABSTRACT The DUET program (a group intervention) aims to enhance parental reflective functioning (PRF). We examined whether pretreatment levels of key outcomes as well as individual parental and family-environment characteristics predicted improvement after intervention with the DUET program. One hundred forty-two parents (native Israelis; mean age = 34.84 years) of preschool children (n = 107; mean child age = 4.3 years; 53% female) were assessed before, after, and 6 months following the intervention. Results indicated significant associations between lower levels of key outcomes at the pretreatment assessment and greater improvement after treatment in PRF, child self-regulation, and child self-distraction strategies. Furthermore, two subgroups of families were uncovered based on individual parental and family-environment characteristics: low-distress and high-distress parents. Following intervention, the high-distress group showed greater improvement in parental sensitivity and child problem behavior, whereas the low-distress group reported greater improvement in locus of control. Clinical and future directions are discussed.

Affect, ethnic boundaries and social mobility: transforming identities in the acculturation of Ashkenazi immigrants in Israel

This study investigates how affects – uncontrollable feelings that tacitly influence humans – transform, rather than reify, intergroup relations. Taking immigrant families as a case in point, we explore the role of circulating identity-affects in shaping ethnoclass identifications and boundaries over time. Proceeding from the prevailing (Jewish-sector) identity discourse in Israel, where ethnic categories (Ashkenazi vs. Mizrahi) still frame a major culture-class divide, we analyse the affects produced by those who are regarded as the mainstream – the Ashkenazim. Given the common identification of Ashkenazi immigrants, including those of lower and lower-middle class, with the Israeli ruling class, their gradual acculturation experience and social ascent have been under-researched. Addressing this lacuna, we examine these families’ changing emotion discourse from an intergenerational perspective, to uncover phases of their integration. The analysis is based on 53 interviews with individuals in three generations of Ashkenazi families (the first generation arrived after the Second World War). Using nuanced discourse and conversation analysis, we trace changing affective patterns in these individuals’ emotion talk, corresponding with their upward mobility. Two conflicting affects shape Ashkenazi identities from the second generation onwards: counteracting the first generation’s tacit racism, coupled with intensifying class elitism towards the Mizrahim. Ethnoclass boundaries persist, yet not as a static, seemingly ‘natural’ inter-ethnic animosity. Rather, they are constructed and reconstructed through the interplay between transforming affects, conducive to the different generations’ identity and status formation as native Israelis and middle-class members.

Processing emotional prosody in a foreign language: the case of German and Hebrew

This study investigated the universality of emotional prosody in perception of discrete emotions when semantics is not available. In two experiments the perception of emotional prosody in Hebrew and German by listeners who speak one of the languages but not the other was investigated. Having a parallel tool in both languages allowed to conduct controlled comparisons. In Experiment 1, 39 native German speakers with no knowledge of Hebrew and 80 native Israeli speakers rated Hebrew sentences spoken with four different emotional prosodies (anger, fear, happiness, sadness) or neutral. The Hebrew version of the Test for Rating of Emotions in Speech (T-RES) was used for this purpose. Ratings indicated participants’ agreement on how much the sentence conveyed each of four discrete emotions (anger, fear, happiness and sadness). In Experient 2, 30 native speakers of German, and 24 Israeli native speakers of Hebrew who had no knowledge of German rated sentences of the German version of the T-RES. Based only on the prosody, German-speaking participants were able to accurately identify the emotions in the Hebrew sentences and Hebrew-speaking participants were able to identify the emotions in the German sentences. In both experiments ratings between the groups were similar. These findings show that individuals are able to identify emotions in a foreign language even if they do not have access to semantics. This ability goes beyond identification of target emotion; similarities between languages exist even for “wrong” perception. This adds to accumulating evidence in the literature on the universality of emotional prosody.

Reducing health disparities: Adherence to referrals for further diagnosis among asylum seeking children.

Asylum-seeking children are most vulnerable to health problems and non-utilization of health amenities. The aim of the study was to compare adherence with referrals for further diagnostic tests among asylum-seeking children and native Israeli children. A retrospective cohort study. The study was conducted among 3508 children born in 2016-2017, with two randomized sample groups: Israeli children (n=243) and asylum-seeking children (n=271). Data were retrieved from the children's medical files. Referrals for further diagnostic tests were defined as written referrals by a public health nurse or pediatrician. Data collected included the child's and mother's details, as well as data on referrals. A multiple logistic regression test was performed to detect risk variables for non-adherence to referrals. No differences were found between the groups regarding adherence to referrals for further diagnosis. Having medical insurance did not explain adherence to referrals. Asylum-seeking children have more need for further follow-up than do Israeli children. Asylum-seeking children and Israeli children respond similarly to the preventive health services offered with equal accessibility. Public health nurses have an essential role in encouraging adherence to screening tests and to referrals for further diagnostic tests and in mitigating health disparities among asylum-seeking children.

Neonatal morbidity among African refugee women in Israel: a case–control study

ObjectivesReports on neonatal morbidity (NM) among refugees in developed countries remain inconsistent. We aimed to compare NM among infants of African refugees in Israel to the native population based on...

Adolescent BMI and early-onset type 2 diabetes among Ethiopian immigrants and their descendants: a nationwide study

We assessed in a nationwide cohort the association between adolescent BMI and early-onset (< 40 years) type 2 diabetes among Israelis of Ethiopian origin. Normoglycemic adolescents (range 16–20 years old), including 93,806 native Israelis (≥ 3rd generation in Israel) and 27,684 Israelis of Ethiopian origin, were medically assessed for military service between 1996 and 2011. Weight and height were measured. Data were linked to the Israeli National Diabetes Registry. Incident type 2 diabetes by December 31, 2016 was the outcome. Cox regression models stratified by sex and BMI categories were applied. 226 (0.29%) men and 79 (0.18%) women developed diabetes during 992,980 and 530,814 person-years follow-up, respectively, at a mean age of 30.4 and 27.4 years, respectively. Among native Israeli men with normal and high (overweight and obese) BMI, diabetes incidence was 9.5 and 62.0 (per 105 person-years), respectively. The respective incidences were 46.9 and 112.3 among men of Ethiopian origin. After adjustment for sociodemographic confounders, the hazard ratios for type 2 diabetes among Ethiopian men with normal and high BMI were 3.4 (2.3–5.1) and 15.8 (8.3–30.3) respectively, compared to third-generation Israelis with normal BMI. When this analysis was limited to Israeli-born Ethiopian men, the hazard ratios were 4.4 (1.7–11.4) and 29.1 (12.9–70.6), respectively. Results persisted when immigrants of other white Caucasian origin were the reference; and among women with normal, but not high, BMI. Ethiopian origin is a risk factor for early-onset type 2 diabetes among young men at any BMI, and may require selective interventions.

Nutrition, age, medical literacy and gender: The impact of ethnic origin (Arabs vs. Jewish Israelis) on obesity

Summary Background Overweight and obesity are serious risk factors associated with major health problems such as, mortality as a result of ischemic heart diseases, cerebro vascular attacks (CVA) and diabetes. Previous cross-sectional research reveals the “Mediterranean diet” paradox among native Arab Israelis: despite the fact that this diet, rich in vegetables, fruits, high fiber and low fat diet originated in the Mediterranean basin, Israeli Arabs exhibit a high prevalence of obesity and concurrent elevated mortality rates. Yet, referring to the few obesity studies conducted among Arab-Israeli populations, none used a panel data-set. The Israeli longtitudinal survey was primarily conducted by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics (ICBS) at the national level beginning in 2012. This was part of the new statistical requirements from the Organization of Cooperation and Economic Development (OECD), which Israel joined as member in 2010. Objective To fill this lacuna, namely, lack of any previous longitudinal study in Israel at the national level. The panel structure of our study, covering 2012–2016, permits the BMI between-group comparison (as an overweight and obesity measure) of native Jewish and Arab Israelis females and males (the two main ethnic groups in Israel), while controlling the age variable within the same group. We track the same individuals over time and observe the variations of their BMI. Sample The sample employed in this study is representative of the Israeli population. The information was collected by personal interviews. The sample contains 24,685 observations × years of native Israelis, and is divided to 16,538 native Jewish Hebrew speakers × years (67% of the sample); and 8147 native non-Jewish Arabic speakers × years (33% of the sample). Results: Between-group comparison when age is controlled, compared to native Jewish Israeli women, native Jewish Israeli men and Arab Israeli women cross the overweight benchmark (i.e., BMI≥25 – according to the World Health Organization classification) 20 years earlier. Results: Within-group comparison while during this five-year period, native Arab Israeli women gain weight at an increasing pace, there is a decrease in the weight gain among native Jewish Israeli women, and starting from 2014 – there is an actual weight loss. Interestingly, during the sample period, both native Arab Israelis and Jewish Israeli men gained weight at an increasing pace. Conclusions These outcomes may demonstrate the higher medical literacy of native Jewish Israeli women (i.e., better awareness to high fiber diets and physical activity), and may stress the need to increase this public awareness, particularly among native Jewish Israeli men and both Arab Israeli men and women.

The role social diversity plays in enhancing mental health literacy among the elderly

PurposeMental health literacy (MHL) is the ability to understand health information originating from different sources. Little is known about ethnic differences in sources for health information, and the effect these differences has on elderly MHL. In this paper, we focus on the social networks (i.e. social connections) of elderly people from different ethnic groups, and investigate the effect these networks have on MHL. Specifically, we focus on the ethnic diversity of one's peers (ethnic diversity) as a network characteristic that can interplay with his\\her MHL.Design/methodology/approachThe data used in this study were gathered using a survey among elderly (over the age of 60) Native Israeli Jews (N = 147) and Immigrant Jews from the Former Soviet Union (FSU, N = 131). The survey was used to assess our participants MHL, online and offline sources of mental health information and mental health service utilization. Interviews were also conducted with each participant. The interview purpose was to map the participants' social network (using a sociogram), while indicating the attributes of the participant's peers (age, gender, ethnicity, etc.) and the nature of the interaction (online vs. offline, strength of the tie, etc.). A set of hierarchal regression analyses were then used to examine which social network attributes are correlated with MHL levels.FindingsOur findings shows that ethnic diversity within the social networks of Immigrants from the FSU contributed to their MHL more so than for native-born Jews. Specifically, face to face maintained connections with individuals from diverse ethnic groups lead to increased knowledge about how to search for mental health information. Online maintained connections with individuals from diverse ethnic groups, lead to increase attitudes that promote recognition of mental health related issues and appropriate help-seeking.Originality/valueUnderstanding the interplay between the ethnic diversity among one's peers and his/her MHL offers an important additional prism of examining MHL; moving beyond the individual's characteristics and examining his/her social connections as well. The relevancy of these findings for reducing MHL inequalities between native-born and elderly migrants, as well as for ethnic minorities is discussed.

Latent tuberculosis infection prevalence in second generation immigrants from high to low TB burden countries

BackgroundLatent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) diagnosis in a country with a low tuberculosis burden is complicated. Since the prevalence of LTBI in second generation immigrants has not been well recognized, we conducted a cross-sectional study which aimed to explore the differences in LTBI prevalence between offspring of immigrants from high tuberculosis (TB) burden countries and those whose parents were born in countries with a low TB burden. MethodsBetween May 2014 and April 2018 young native Israelis who were required to perform pre-occupational tuberculin skin tests (TST) (medical and paramedical personnel or teaching assistants of immigrants from high TB burden countries) and who had a TST result of 10mm and above were tested for QuantiFERON-TB In Tube (QFT-GIT). Statistical comparisons were made between second generation immigrants and those with both parents from a low TB burden country. ResultsOf 102 patients, 71 were born to parents both of whom were from low-risk countries, 14 to one parent from a high-risk country and 17 to parents both of whom were from a high-risk country. The odds ratio for LTBI was 4.5 (95% CI, 1.2...17.2; p=0.03) if both parents were born in a high-risk country compared to both parents being from a low-risk country and 4.01 (95% CI, 1.12...14.3; p=0.03) higher compared to persons for whom at least one parent was born in a low-risk country. ConclusionThe risk for latent TB is significantly higher in second generation immigrants if both parents were born in a high-risk country. IGRA should be considered before treatment to patients with a positive TST if at least one parent was born in a low-risk country in order to confirm LTBI.

Adolescent BMI and early-onset type 2 diabetes among Ethiopian immigrants and their descendants: a nationwide study

BackgroundWe assessed in a nationwide cohort the association between adolescent BMI and early-onset (< 40 years) type 2 diabetes among Israelis of Ethiopian origin.MethodsNormoglycemic adolescents (range 16–20 years old), including 93,806 native Israelis (≥ 3rd generation in Israel) and 27,684 Israelis of Ethiopian origin, were medically assessed for military service between 1996 and 2011. Weight and height were measured. Data were linked to the Israeli National Diabetes Registry. Incident type 2 diabetes by December 31, 2016 was the outcome. Cox regression models stratified by sex and BMI categories were applied.Results226 (0.29%) men and 79 (0.18%) women developed diabetes during 992,980 and 530,814 person-years follow-up, respectively, at a mean age of 30.4 and 27.4 years, respectively. Among native Israeli men with normal and high (overweight and obese) BMI, diabetes incidence was 9.5 and 62.0 (per 105 person-years), respectively. The respective incidences were 46.9 and 112.3 among men of Ethiopian origin. After adjustment for sociodemographic confounders, the hazard ratios for type 2 diabetes among Ethiopian men with normal and high BMI were 3.4 (2.3–5.1) and 15.8 (8.3–30.3) respectively, compared to third-generation Israelis with normal BMI. When this analysis was limited to Israeli-born Ethiopian men, the hazard ratios were 4.4 (1.7–11.4) and 29.1 (12.9–70.6), respectively. Results persisted when immigrants of other white Caucasian origin were the reference; and among women with normal, but not high, BMI.ConclusionsEthiopian origin is a risk factor for early-onset type 2 diabetes among young men at any BMI, and may require selective interventions.

Migration and Food Consumption: The Impact of Culture and Country of Origin on Obesity as an Indicator of Human Health

Previous research demonstrates that the 1965 American immigration wave has tended to attenuate the obesity pandemic in the United States. Based on a survey carried out by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics (ICBS) in 2012 and 2016, we observe the correlation between BMI, age, native language, and years-since-migration to Israel. BMI (=kgm2) is a conventional measure of obesity, where BMI ≥ 25 is considered overweight and BMI ≥ 30 as type I obesity. The results indicate that compared to 11 groups of immigrants, the median BMI among native Israelis is lower. While the prevalence of overweight (BMI ≥ 25) among Hebrew speakers is below 50%, in 11 groups of immigrants, the prevalence of overweight is above 50%. A noteworthy exception is the immigrants from Ethiopia, who exhibit lower overweight prevalence compared to native Israelis and all other population groups. Finally, while male Hebrew and Russian speakers cross the overweight benchmark at the same age (35 years), native Israeli women (Hebrew speakers) cross this benchmark only when they reach 50 years (15 years after the males) and Russian women cross this benchmark only five years after the Russian men. These research findings may be of assistance in public health and culture-oriented medicine.

Ethnic disparities in colorectal cancer outcomes: a population study from Israel

ABSTRACT Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Clear ethnic disparities in the incidence of CRC and its outcomes have been observed globally, but only few research efforts have been invested so far in the unique ethnic scene of Israeli population. This study aims to compare the clinico-pathologic features, tumor's characteristics and prognosis between Arab and Jewish CRC patients as well as among Jewish subgroups living within the same central coastal region in Israel. Methods: In this retrospective, single center study, a total of 401 patients with pathologically confirmed CRCs diagnosed during the years 2008–2015 were included. These were divided into Jewish (n = 334) and Arab (n = 67) groups. Data collected included demographics, country of birth, clinical presentation and family history. Tumor stage, location, histologic grade and mortality rate were compared retrospectively between both groups and within Jewish sub-populations. Results: Arabs were significantly younger at diagnosis (62.7 ± 12.9 vs. 69.3 ± 13.01; P < 0.01), presented more frequently with rectal bleeding, and were less likely to be diagnosed due to positive fecal occult blood test (9% vs. 22.6%; P = 0.012). Tumor distribution through the colon was comparable between both groups and characterized by a distal predominance. Arabs had a significantly higher rate of advanced stage at diagnosis (58% vs. 50.5%, OR = 2.454, 95%CI = 1.201–5.013; P = 0.02) when compared to Jews. Mortality rates were comparable between both groups. In the Jewish subpopulation analysis, we found that immigrants, especially those born in the former USSR, presented with significantly advanced tumor stages when compared to native Israelis (55% vs. 37.5%; P = 0.02). Conclusion: CRC in two major ethnic populations in Israel, Arabs and Jews, varied in terms of age at diagnosis, clinical presentation and stage at diagnosis. Similar findings were documented within a non-native Jewish subpopulation, raising the possibility of a low utilization of screening programs in these groups.

Perinatal outcomes of African refugees after their integration into the Israeli health care system

ObjectiveEvaluate whether the incorporation of the refugees into the Israeli medical system resulted in improvements in perinatal outcomes, namely a reduction in the number of preterm deliveries and a decrease in NICU admissions. MethodsRetrospective cohort study. Electronic medical records of all African immigrants who delivered in our tertiary referral center between January 2018 and September 2019 were reviewed. African patients’ demographics, maternal and perinatal outcomes were compared to those of native Israeli population. In addition, the results were compared to the cohort from our previous study from 2010. ResultsA total of 20,796 deliveries took place at our labor and delivery department during the study period. Of these, 3% of all deliveries were of African refugees. Total rates of preterm deliveries <37 weeks was similar between groups, while rate of premature deliveries <34 week was higher among refugees. Rates of extreme prematurity <28 weeks were also similar between groups. Rate of meconium stained amniotic fluid, neonatal weight <2000 g as well as NICU admissions were significantly higher among refugees. ConclusionThough perinatal results have not substantially improved with the incorporation of a refugee population into a healthcare system, some progression has indeed been achieved in some perinatal parameters.

Israeli Documentary Poetry about Coming of Age in the Early Statehood Period

This article introduces the genre of documentary poetry written by Israeli poets who came of age during the first two decades of the state (1950s-1960s) and who recount their experiences of that period. These poets were either immigrant children or native Israelis born to immigrants who had arrived in the new country from the four corners of the earth. The generic context of Israeli documentary poetry is the inclusive genre of documentary literature, referring to non-fictional writing whose authors or heroes wish to recount their experiences of major events that engulfed, affected and changed the lives of many. In the present article I present and analyze six poems written, respectively, by poets Malka Natanson, Lea Aini, Bracha Rosenfeld, Amira Hass, Peretz-Dror Banai and Vicki Shiran. These poems are organized into three pairs dealing with these themes: memories of the Holocaust as preserved and reshaped by two daughters of survivors; the life of displacement in Israeli maabarot or transit camps; and the contrast between diaspora life and life within multicultural Israel.

Ongoing tuberculosis transmission among second-generation Ethiopian immigrants.

Despite considerable efforts to control tuberculosis (TB) among Ethiopian immigrants in Israel, an outbreak of TB among second-generation Ethiopian immigrants that involved native Israelis occurred between January 2011 and December 2019. The aim of this article is to report on this outbreak and discuss the patient and health system barriers that led to its propagation. Overall, 13 culture-positive TB patients were diagnosed in this outbreak. An additional 36 cases with identical mycobacterium tuberculosis genotypes were identified through cross-checking with the National TB Laboratory Registry. Among the 32 close contacts of the index case, 18 (56.3%) reported for screening and treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI) was recommended for 11 (61.1%) of them. However, none completed treatment and eight eventually developed TB. Of the 385 close contacts identified in this outbreak, 286 (74.3%) underwent contact investigation, 154 (53.8%) were recommended LTBI treatment, but only 26 (16.9%) completed the treatment. Routine contact investigation and treatment practice measures failed to contain the cascade of infection and disease, leading to the spread of the infecting strain of TB. This report highlights the challenges to identify the high-risk group and address barriers to care among such a vulnerable population.

Association between Knowledge about How to Search for Mental Health Information and Emotional Distress among Older Adults: The Moderating Role of Immigration Status

ABSTRACTMental health literacy (MHL) provides a framework to overcome barriers to service use and reduce mental health disparities through public education. Acquiring basic knowledge about mental health problems can guide subsequent help-seeking behavior. Improving knowledge about how to search for mental health information is a critical first step in improving MHL. In this study, we examined the association between knowledge about how to search for mental health information and emotional distress among older adults. We further examined the moderating role of immigration status in this association. A sample of 605 older adults participated in the study (N = 357 Native Israelis; N = 222 Immigrants from the Former Soviet Union). Participants completed self-report measures assessing MHL and emotional distress. Our findings show that Native Israelis reported significantly lower levels of emotional distress and higher levels of knowledge about how to search for mental health information compared to immigrants. Moreover, while among native older adults, increased knowledge about how to search for mental health information was associated with lower emotional distress, among immigrant seniors there was no significant association between these variables. Our findings suggest that differences among immigrant and native older adults can impact the effectiveness of the mental health knowledge that is accessed.

Does body fat change with car ownership rates? A longitudinal survey of gender differences

Durable goods provide conventional proxies for household wealth, which, in turn, may increase the tendency to consume healthier food products and engage in leisure-time physical exercise. Higher car ownership levels, on the other hand, may reduce the tendency to participate in utilitarian, non-exercise-related physical activities such as walking to work and biking to do errands. Based on a recent longitudinal two-year Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) survey, we examine the correlation between the number of cars owned by households and household members' body mass index (BMI) for adult female and male respondents below the workforce retirement age. Results indicate that projected BMI of native Israeli Jewish females and Jewish immigrants from Asian-African countries drops significantly, while compared with baseline native Jewish Israelis, the projected BMI decrease among Arab females is attenuated significantly with increased car ownership levels. These outcomes suggest that programs aimed at alleviating poverty may have the additional benefit of promoting obesity-reducing activities, particularly among the population of native Jewish Israeli females and immigrants from Asian African countries.

Značenje i prednost proučavanja židovske Biblije na biblijskom hebrejskom jeziku

In this article the authors analyse the importance of the study of the Old Testament in its original language, Biblical Hebrew. The first part of the article consists of a general introduction followed by the explanation of the main linguistic differences between Biblical and Modern Hebrew, as one of the factors contributing to the difficulty of understanding the Bible even for native Israelis. This part ends with a brief description of the first Modern Hebrew translation of the Bible and the intentions behind this translation, as presented by the translator and the publisher. The central part of this article discusses the following issues: the need of a translation of the Bible from Biblical Hebrew into modern spoken Hebrew, the importance of the Bible and the Biblical text, continues with a general introduction to translation, provides arguments in favour and against the translation of the text from Biblical Hebrew into Modern spoken Hebrew or other languages. The end of this part exposes the difficulties involved in Bible translation, providing examples of major problems in the translation of the Bible. In this context, the background of Torah translations into Aramaic is explained. Finally, in the conclusion, the authors give their recommendations for the school curriculum in Croatia, based on their experiences as teachers and parents. In their work, the authors use many sources from the rabbinical literature since the Talmudic time through the Middle Ages until modern times. Much of this literature is translated into Croatian from Hebrew and Aramaic for the first time by the authors.

Affect, meaning in life, and life satisfaction among immigrants and non-immigrants: A moderated mediation model

Immigration has become a global phenomenon as part of modern life. However, immigrants often demonstrate negative emotional states following the immigration process, which may destabilize one’s existing values and standards which provide meaning to life. Meaning in life is considered to be a protective factor against life adversities, and previous research has linked acculturative stress with reduced meaning in life. Yet, little is known about the differential utility of meaning in life among immigrants and non-immigrants in a given society. Thus, the current study examined whether meaning in life mediates the connection between negative affect and life satisfaction, and whether this mediation differs among immigrants and non-immigrants in Israel. Results demonstrated a significant mediation of meaning in life for the negative affect - life satisfaction connection, but only among native Israelis. The role of meaning in life in the context of acculturation is discussed, and future directions are suggested.