The Israel Association for Ethiopian Jews invites you to a delicious and meaningful benefit dinner with visiting International chef, food historian and James Beard award-winning author Gil Marks, who will demonstrate some of his delicacies in kitchen conversation with IAEJ director Ziva Mekonen-Degu and IAEJ board chair Shula Mola.

Along with tasting some of Gil’s delights, guests will enjoy a kosher vegetarian Ethiopian dinner together. Gil is the author of the recently published Encyclopedia of Jewish Food, which will be on hand, hailed as the Jewish version of the Larousse Gastronomique.

Efrat Yerday, a young community activist and IAEJ’s advocacy spokesperson will share her latest experiences on the streets (and behind the scenes) with Israel’s wider citizenship and about advances and challenges with Ethiopian Israelis’ 30 year struggle for full integration, social justice and economic equality.

As we approach Rosh Hashanah, your support can assist IAEJ with its most pressing issue: to advocate on behalf of thousands of Ethiopian-Israeli families stuck in absorption centers or other deplorable housing, for the opportunity to acquire permanent homes in stronger neighborhoods.

We look forward to seeing you!

Hosts: IAEJ Board member Bob Trachtenberg and Ruth Mason, 8 Dan Street, Jerusalem
Date and Time: Monday night, September 19, 2011 @ 7:00 pm
What: Int’l. Chef Gil Marks’ demonstration in conversation with Ethiopian Israeli young leadership and a Kosher vegetarian traditional Ethiopian dinner
Why: To assist IAEJ in its struggle for full Ethiopian Israeli integration, social justice and economic equality
Suggested Donation: 360 nis (per couple or guest)
RSVP: chava@iaej.co.il

This year is IAEJ’s 18th Chai year of activity and some of its advocacy successes include:

• amending Israel’s Equal Opportunity Law and affirmative action within the civil service, regional government offices, and state-owned companies, to include Ethiopian-Israelis.
• ratifying into law the unique Ethiopian Sigd Holiday, now recognized as a national holiday.
• repealing (February 2011) a discriminatory government housing policy limiting Ethiopian-Israelis to use mortgage grants only in high-risk neighborhoods at designated rundown addresses. (perpetuating the cycle of poverty)
• increasing educational hours allocated to Ethiopian Israeli immigrants funded by the Ministry of Education, as a result of a study commissioned by IAEJ (May 2011), which revealed steep and disturbing educational gaps between Ethiopian Israelis and others.

You can learn more about the activities of IAEJ on their website.