Home Archives for The Fellowship/IFCJ

My Parents Are My Heroes: Ethiopian-Israeli Teens Connect with Their Heritage

Posted on January 6, 2013 Written by
A group of children at the synagogue in Gondar; photo courtesy Michal Shmulovich/Times of Israel.

by Benjamin Rutland exclusive to eJP As the bus bumped along the unpaved roads of Northern Ethiopia, the varied sounds of Ethiopian pop, American R&B and an occasional Israeli classic blared from the smartphones of the participants. The soundtrack reflected the multi-layered identities of the 15 outstanding Ethiopian-Israeli teens who participated in a roots tour of Ethiopia during Hannukah this year. I had the privilege to join the group as a representative o f The Jewish Agency for Israel and Keren Hayesod in order to help document the experience. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Inside Israel, The World Tagged: , ,

Out of Africa, and Back

Posted on January 6, 2013 Written by
©OfferDahan6

A delegation of outstanding Ethiopian-Israeli high school students visited the country where their parents were born. Zahava remembered that the name she was given at birth was Aregitu (meaning roots) - Netanel filmed a movie of the school where his father studied - Daniel connected with a young child who is waiting to make Aliyah - Gila was touched by singing Hatikva in the Jewish cemetery at Wolleka - All of the participants returned more mature, valuing life, and feeling more connected to both their pasts and Israel. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Inside Israel, The World Tagged: , , ,

8,000 IDF Soldiers Receive Chanukah Gift Vouchers from the Fellowship and FIDF

Posted on December 12, 2012 Written by
P1

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (the Fellowship) and Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, in collaboration with the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel’s Soldiers, are providing “Fellowship Gift Vouchers” as Chanukah gifts to over 8,000 IDF Lone Soldiers and soldiers in need. The IDF soldiers will receive gift cards that can be used in major retail chain stores across Israel to purchase food, clothing, shoes, sports and leisure products. There are currently over 5,700 Lone Soldiers serving in the IDF as well as over 4,500 soldiers entitled to receive financial support. In total, both the Fellowship and FIDF will invest more than 5 million shekels (over $1.4 million) this year to support this worthy project. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: In the Media Tagged:

On Dove’s Wings

Posted on November 1, 2012 Written by
Ethiopian Aliyah Oct. 2012

by Darryl Egnal Operation Dove’s Wings saw the start of the final stage of the Ethiopian Aliyah when about 240 Falash Mura landed at Ben Gurion Airport on Monday afternoon. In a joint operation between the Israeli government and The Jewish Agency, the 30-year campaign to bring Ethiopian Jews home to Israel will draw to a close at the end of 2013. About 2,000 Ethiopian Jews are expected over the next year. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Inside Israel Tagged: , ,

Wartime Protocol: Are Private Philanthropies Prepared?

Posted on October 14, 2012 Written by
Israel coastal plain

by Abigail Pickus During the Second Lebanon War, Russian billionaire Arcady Gaydamak set a new precedent of philanthropic emergency support. After appearing on the scene, he built tent cities for some of Israel’s most vulnerable citizens - without waiting for the green light from either the government or the organized Jewish world. With the threat of war in Israel once again looming on the horizon - or, just as likely, according to experts, a natural disaster such as an earthquake - voices from Jewish philanthropies are calling for a pre-orchestrated, strategic plan to prepare to meet Israel’s needs - before disaster strikes. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: The Blog Tagged: ,

New Agreement Calls for Better Integration of Ethiopian-Israelis into Society

Posted on August 22, 2012 Written by

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday signed an agreement encouraging the integration of Ethiopian-Israelis into Israeli society and the Israeli workforce and the prevention of discrimination and racism. The agreement is part of a public campaign aimed at reducing social gaps among the Ethiopian-Israeli community and putting an end to expressions of racism against the community. The campaign is being spearheaded by The Jewish Agency and the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) ahead of the start of the new school year. The agreement - which the heads of Israeli local authorities, immigrant absorption bodies and educational institutions will also be invited to sign - calls for coordinated action to provide members of the Ethiopian community with the tools … [Read more...]

Filed Under: In the Media Tagged: ,