Respect

June 3, 2009

Happy Birthday Rachel!

Shlomo Berihun heads the Ethiopian project for Shatil. His story is stirring. His parents sent him out of Ethiopia with an uncle in 1984 when he was 11. He did not want to go because his mother was sick, but they insisted that he leave. He spent 8 or 9 months in a refugee camp in Sudan, a stay that was complicated by the fact that the government of Sudan, while cooperative to a degree, was sensitive to and influenced by publicity from the Arab league whenever it chose to denounce Sudan for helping to send Jews to Israel. When he arrived in Israel, he was sent to one boarding school and then another and then served in the IDF for 4 years. It was during his army service, after not having seen his parents for 8 years, that they were re-united.

Incorporating the 135,000 Ethiopians into Israeli society has been a challenge. The Ethiopian National Project, supported by UJC, involves JAFI, JDC, Keren Heyesod, the government, and 18 Ethiopian community groups of the 40 or so in the country, 70% of which have no budget, functioning entirely with volunteers. Three prominent organizations deal with advocacy, education issues, and legal aid and policy change. It has taken time and trial and error to improve the capacity of Israel to absorb this very different culture. Money alone does not always serve a community. Shlomo described 4 basic principles. First, kavod in Hebrew, kevur in Amharic, respect in English, respect for the wisdom, history, experts and resources in the community is essential. Second, collaborate with different levels of leadership: young, professional, traditional, and spiritual. Third, employ Ethiopians in the projects designed to help their community. Fourth, strive for independence by empowering, building confidence, and offering opportunities for experience. All are sound, community-based participatory principles.