By Fran Sommers

Alem Malede, his wife Kassaye Worknesh and their six children arrived in Israel on May 18, 2005.

"I saved my family."

Alem Malede was sitting under a tree, surrounded by his wife Kassaye Worknesh, and their six children - the smallest wrapped against her mother's breast by a traditional Ethiopian white scarf.  It was their first day in Israel:  May 18, 2005.

After leaving his village; after seven long years in Gondar; after working as a day laborer, then coming home to a one-room apartment with hardly enough for his young family to eat.  After witnessing more deaths than he could remember, Alem Malede arrived in the brand spanking new Ben-Gurion Airport with nearly 50 other Ethiopian Jews on a beautiful, sunny morning. A few forms and a short bus ride later, he was at his new home. 
 
Within 20 minutes of their arrival, the Maledes were greeted by at least one member of each of the other 35 Ethiopian families living at the Merhavia Absorption Center just outside Afula. Hugs and kisses were exchanged; then introductions were made.  Mr. Malede said that he was proud to be part of such a warm, inviting culture, but he recognized that a new journey had already started.  Ahead of them: learning Hebrew, vocational training, educational programs and the much longed-for opportunities for a successful life in Israel.  Alem Malede repeated it again, "I saved my family." And he meant it in every possible way.
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When asked to compare Ethiopian Israelis to North American Jews, actor/comedian/playwright Yossi Wassa said, "We're both very polite."  He got the laugh he was looking for, waited the requisite two beats and said, "We're Jews.  We want the best for our children. We live our lives generation to generation, with laughter and stories and history … and with respect for each other. For me, that's what being Jewish is all about. And that's why my family came to Israel."

That was echoed by a number of other Ethiopian Israelis. 

 

	Tal Checal, the recently elected chairman of the Ethiopian Student Union in Israel

Tal Checal, the recently elected chairman of the Ethiopian Student Union in Israel, said: "Tell North American Jews that I am the return on their investment. I learned Hebrew at an ulpan; I lived in a youth aliyah village; today, I am on a full scholarship at Ono Academic College studying law, but - and please, I haven't even told my teachers yet - I think I may want to be a teacher. I want the Ethiopian children who come after me to have a role model when they are still young.  I will lead my people. And my people are all the people of Israel."

According to those who know Mr. Checal best, he is already well on his way.  Doron Haran, who is Vice Chairman for Resource Development at Ono, said, "The competition for chairman was fierce. Tal is already loved by many people. He listens to them; and they see his great heart."

Melkeinech Avera, 95, was the leader of his village in Ethiopia.  He was wealthy by any standard. He had a big farm, crops and animals, and a large, loving family.  But coming to Jerusalem was his dream.  And he would do anything - and leave everything - to make that dream come true for himself and his family.  He was already in his 60s when the trip began; and the walk through the Sudanese desert and the refugee camps took their toll.  But he got them to Israel. While he hasn't worked since they arrived, and he's had great difficulty learning Hebrew, Mr. Avera is satisfied that he got his family to Israel. And that's when he allowed Michal to take over.

 

Melkeinech and Michal Avera

Michal Avera, who is four-months pregnant with her first child and director of professional training at FIDEL-the Association for Education and Social Integration of Ethiopian Jews in Israel, is the youngest of Mr. Avera's nine children. "My parents always called me ‘the wise child.' I had been designated ‘the wise child' from as early as I can remember.  I don't know why. Maybe because I was the youngest, I don't know.  And, as it happened, when we got to Israel, I learned Hebrew very quickly." 

And as it happened for many Ethiopian families in Israel, the child became the parent. Ms. Avera took her parents and siblings to the doctor, to government agencies, to speak with teachers and more. 

"When Ethiopians first arrived in Israel, many programs concentrated on children; so the children had to take over. But now we know that we can't leave the parents out of the mix.  Children need their parents.  Our children need to know the great sacrifices our parents and grandparents made for us."

Just as Jews all over the world have sacrificed for their children. 
Pnina Tamano is "very clever. My mother was always telling me, ‘you are very clever.' I know that it is a gift she gave me. And now I feel that I have the power to do anything." 

Just as Jews the world over have told their children that they have the power to do anything. 

Ms. Tamano is a third-year law student, a volunteer at Tebeka, an Ethiopian legal aid

	Prina Tamano

society, and she works with young Ethiopian children when she can.  "When I'm with the small children, I say to them, ‘if I can be a lawyer, you can be a lawyer.' Because I believe that.  We are powerful.  I am powerful. The Ethiopian community in Israel will be strong."

The founder of Tebeka, Itzhak Dessie, was Israel's first Ethiopian-born lawyer.  He has dedicated his professional career to fighting discrimination and has successfully appeared before the Israel Supreme Court a number of times. "When my daughter was born two and half years ago, I saw the whole Ethiopian-Israeli community before me.  A beautiful Sabra baby who comes to life in Israel, but with Black skin.  I'm fighting for her, and I'm proud to say that my partners in this fight are of every color and from ever origin." 

A reminder of another battle for civil rights that secured a bond between American Jews and African Americans that still exists today.
Matti Elias is the elder statesman of the Ethiopian community in Israel.  He arrived in 1956, with 14 other high school students. They were brought for a year; and Mr. Elias stayed, married a kibbutznik and still lives on the kibbutz.  He has worked for the Jewish Agency for Israel, for the Israel Ministry of Absorption and now, for the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, as Senior Program Director in charge of Young Leadership development. 

Mr. Elias has said: "Our community - the Madele family, and the other nearly 100,000 Ethiopians now living in Israel - needs education, employment and leadership. We are a strong, determined people, and with help from North American Jews and our family here in Israel, we will find our place in this society."

"We have made mistakes," he added. "But with this new initiative to raise more money for PACT (Parents and Children Together), university scholarships and ENP (Ethiopian National Project), we are on the right track. Our leaders are emerging. And there is real hope for the future."

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