Ethiopian Youth Outreach in Israel
The Ethiopian community in Israel today numbers about 80,000 people, approximately half of whom are under the age of 18. Due to cultural differences and other problems, members of this ethnic community have not succeeded in integrating into Israeli society. An especially serious problem is the unsuccessful absorption of the children into the school system. Their educational achievements are among the lowest in Israel. Despite the fact that in recent years there has been a significant improvement in the numbers of those receiving matriculation certificates, the gap is still great in comparison with the general population.
The FIDEL Youth Crisis Intervention Center in Israel is a unique program that exclusively serves those young members of the Ethiopian community who are most at-risk. Youth who are in danger of dropping out of normative settings as well as those who have already dropped out and are living lives of desperation exposed to crime, violence, alcohol and drug abuse and prostitution are targeted. The initial center is in Tel Aviv. The uniqueness of this program also lies in its location of operations. The Tel Aviv Center is located in the bus terminal. There, five professional youth counselors and twelve volunteers operate in around-the-clock patrols in the bus terminals and surrounding neighborhoods and beaches to find those in need of their help. It takes time for a relationship to form, time until the young person agrees to come to the center to receive help. FIDEL plans to open three additional centers –in Rechovot, Kiryat Gat and Netanya.
Our Involvement
Netanya is now open with the help of Hands On Tzedakah. We visited the Center in operation this year. It is located outside of Netanya proper. We passed through an industrial district to find a neighborhood ‘pocket’ of Ethiopians. On the way, we saw a man riding a horse with a cart attached. There were few cars. In fact, our car and the Fidel representative’s car were the only ones on the street by the time we left. Drying clothes hung from the balconies of the apartments.
The center itself is attached to a school. We arrived at 4:45 pm when it was still light outside. We approached the basketball court to find dozens and dozens of kids playing basketball, talking and having fun on the court where there were five Israeli scouts in their uniforms, hanging out with the kids. We looked for the director and found 25 year-old Schmuel in a room playing pong pong with some of the boys. He took us into the school computer room where there were about 15 kids using the computers. The school allows this group to use the computers with supervision. They receive instruction in word and excel and also have time to surf the net. Parents are offered classes in the evenings.
We then went to the Hands On Tzedakah Room, which is used for movies and games and study. HOT purchased the equipment and furnishings. Tables, chairs, sofas, a TV and dvd/vcr are there for the kids to feel comfortable. We spoke to Schmuel and the scouts (who tutor some of these kids during the day). We were told it is boredom that gets these kids in trouble. They have nowhere else to go, so the Outreach Center has become the place to be. Schmuel said there were less kids there than usual that evening and there were at least one hundred kids in sight. After school, some of the kids stay and do their homework, some go home to do their homework, but they all come back to the Center. When we left, the outdoor basketball lights had come on and kids were still pouring into the gates.
FIDEL also partners with the local municipalities and the Ethiopian National Project. Donor designations to FIDEL will go towards additional equipment.
Contact Information
FIDEL – Association for Education & Social Integration of Ethiopian Jews in Israel, T. Mekonen, Executive Director, Rechov Habanim 14/4, Hod Hasharon Israel 45103, telephone: 972-09-745-5788, email: fidel1@012.net.il
