World Jewry: How to Help Ethiopian Jewry

How To Help 

Provide Assistance to Felash Mura and Quara Jews in Ethiopia

The North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry (NACOEJ) operates a number of programs that benefit Ethiopian Jewry by helping them obtain jobs and education. Encourage your religious school classes to use their tzedakah money to "sponsor" a student.

Medical Assistance for Felash Mura: the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) provides life-changing medical care and other services to Ethiopia's Jewish population. More information can be found on their website.

Help Ethiopian students already in Israel

NACOEJ also provides assistance to Ethiopian students in Israel. You can consider starting a project to support these efforts or twinning with one of the students in a NACOEJ program.

Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC)

The Reform Movement's social action office in Israel both directly services the Ethiopian olim and advocates on their behalf before the Knesset and key government ministries. IRAC's programs include:

  • Legal assistance for new immigrants through legal advocacy centers in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa and Kiryat Shmona (additional offices in formation);
  • Advocacy to the Government of Israel on housing, education, job training, and religious freedom.

Israel Association for Ethiopian Jews (IAEJ)

Founded by a long-time Israeli advocate for Ethiopian Jews, the IAEJ is an independent, non-sectarian organization devoted to advocacy on behalf of the Ethiopian olim, especially around the critical issues of housing, employment, and education. IAEJ's activities include:

  • Monitoring the absorption progress of the Ethiopian olim to catch, and to respond to, problems the olim encounter;
  • Advocacy Before the Knesset and Key Government Ministries;
  • Ensuring that Ethiopian olim are included in government programs to benefit recent immigrants (e.g. housing and business loans).

Leo Baeck Education Center

Located in Haifa, Leo Baeck runs a Leadership Program that annually prepares approximately 16 young Ethiopian olim for higher education while teaching them leadership skills which help them organize their communities.