Nathan Shapiro, President Friends of Ethiopian Jews, Inc.

William Recant, Vice President

P.O. Box 960059
Barbara Gaffin, Director
Gerald S. Frim, Treasurer Boston, MA 02196
Susan Pollack, Exec Vice President Tel: 202-262-5390
Tax ID No. 06-1512486 info@friendsofethiopianjews.org
www.friendsofethiopianjews.org

2018 Year End Report

As 2018 draws to a close, we take stock of the past year, and plan for the year ahead. With
the assistance of generous friends like you, this past year has seen many achievements and
progress for Ethiopian Jews in Israel ! We are pleased to send you a summary of the
outstanding programs aided by FEJ this year.

Please click here to make a special Year End donation to FEJ to support Ethiopian Israeli
organizations that are bringing about change and creating success, such as:

Tebeka – Advocacy for Justice & Equality for Ethiopian Israelis

In 2018, Tebeka’s five staff attorneys responded to more than 1,000 legal
queries on matters of employment, education, housing, health and law
enforcement and other issues. A typical case, now in litigation, is representation of an
Ethiopian-Israeli dismissed at the end of his trial work period at the Holon port, and not
granted the permanent employment for which he qualified. Tebeka is highlighting that a
disproportionate number of Ethiopian-Israelis are denied permanent employment after
provisional employment (out of compliance with equal opportunity laws), thus sending the
message that employers will be held accountable. Tebeka also represented hundreds of
Ethiopian-Israelis such as parents denied school transportation for a child with special needs,
low-wage employees denied earned pensions and sick leave, and rights for residents of public
housing. “A just society must be just for all.”

Tech Career-Technology Training for Ethiopian Israelis:

Tech Career just keeps getting more impressive each year.
For example, although Tech Career has always been a residential
program, an evening-course in Quality Assurance is starting for
working heads-of-families and plans are to start one in Cyber
Security. There are 5,000 vacancies in high-tech jobs in Israel right now. In response to this
demand, Tech Career is offering more courses than ever before – six full-time, on-campus
courses, two evening courses, plus
working with the government and
universities so Tech Career courses
are accepted for credit towards a B.S.
degree in Computer Science. In
addition, 50% of the students who
just graduated are female, which is
exceptional! And - 100% of students
found jobs before graduation!
Sponsor a student, course or lecture!
Tech Career graduates: Girls Who Code!
Olim Beyahad- Employment and Leadership for Ethiopian Israeli University
Graduates – In the past 10 years, Olim Beyahad has placed more than 900 Ethiopian Israeli
university graduates in jobs in their fields. OB’s high placement and
retention rates make it one of the most successful programs in
achieving economic equality for Ethiopian Jews in Israel today! One
innovative 2018 project is the Media Initiative, started in response to
the negative image of Ethiopian Israelis in most media coverage,
creating insidious obstacles in job seeking and salary rates. The Media
Initiative is creating change in the approach of media representatives and Israeli society
towards Ethiopian Israelis, as well as reducing discrimination towards minorities in general.

Keren Hanan Aynor (KHA) Scholarship Fund

In 2018, KHA awarded a record number of scholarships to Ethiopian
Israelis pursuing university and advanced degrees. Over 430
applications poured in and right now – for 2019 – there are 660
applications! Older students, single parents, students with families –
most of whom have “aged-out” of government funding programs – are
among those helped by KHA. And, 98% of their scholarship recipients successfully complete
their degrees! The typical scholarship is $1,000 and can be used for any expenses, not only
tuition. You, too, can give a scholarship with a gift of $1,000 or more! Choose “KHA” at
www.friendsofethiopianjews.org/donate

Friends by Nature (FBN) Community Empowerment

FBN works with Ethiopian and native Israelis of all ages and engages
marginalized populations in decision making and community activism.
This year, their programs involved 3,000 Ethiopian Israelis in five
towns – with an award-winning program for teens and young adults,
and the elderly. The Summer Camp and Army Prep Program for
teenagers help Ethiopian Israelis to understand and cope successfully with integration into
Israeli institutions such as public schools and the army, while retaining their Ethiopian cultural
heritage. Everybody wins!

AEJ: The Association of Ethiopian Jews - formerly known as the

Israel Association for Ethiopian Jews (IAEJ), the AEJ now engages the
community and community leaders in advocacy on government policies,
and trains the next generation of activists. Achievements include AEJ
helping gifted students be tested, as policy, for advanced programs;
helping transfer education decisions to the Ministry of Education, and
continued representation in the Knesset on all public policy matters.

Hinneni and the Beta Israel Village - saw over

2,000 visitors to the model historical village and
programs this year. The gardens keep 340 elders and
families busy and earning income, and the museum,
coffee shop and outdoor conference space continue to
be develop. Visionary Founder Moshe Solomon (right)
is working to get a variance of the agricultural zoning
so that a small spice factory can be opened providing
more employment based on cultural heritage.