General Background
On November 14th, 2010, the Government of Israel approved a decision to bring the remnant of Ethiopian Jewry to Israel. This process will begin in January 2011 at a rate of 200 olim per month.
Starting in April 2011, the Jewish Agency will be responsible for services to the local community in Gondar.
The services to be provided in Gondar by the Jewish Agency
Jewish community life, including education, health and community services, has existed in Gondar for about a decade.
The Jewish Agency’s goal is to prepare the olim for aliyah and an optimal absorption process in Israel.
- Children – Currently, there is a Jewish State Religious primary school in Gondar, which is attended by about 600 children from Grades 1-6.
Once services are taken over by the Jewish Agency, the school will also include a library, computer room, educational games room and other educational facilities.
- Youth and young adults aged 14-24 who are not studying in a Jewish framework, and are in need of support and reinforcement in Hebrew and Judaism.
- Adults – The work with adults will concentrate on two tasks:
- Preparation for aliyah and life in Israel: there will be information sessions on various topics, such as general information on life in Israel, employment in Israel, information on aliyah and the Absorption Basket, parenting in Israel, etc.
- Learning basic sentences in Hebrew and beginning to write in Hebrew.
Volunteer Work
The volunteers will be an integral part of the above-mentioned activities in which they will contribute to the children, youth and adults. They will do this by augmenting Jewish studies, tutoring Hebrew, math or English, organizing events and ceremonies, decorating the school and the Community Center, preparation for aliyah and other informal educational activities.
Note that the local community maintains a Jewish-religious lifestyle and on their arrival in Israel they will undergo a return-to-Judaism process. Therefore, the volunteers in the community will need to respect the community’s lifestyle in their day-to-day behavior.
Requirements for the position
- After military service or National Service, or over age 21.
- Experience in education and as a formal and/or informal counselor.
- Knowledge of Hebrew and/or English and/or Amharic.
- Willingness to volunteer for a period of three to six months.
- Advantage for those with experience of the Ethiopian community.
The following should be sent to Aviva Levy at avival@jafi.org:
- Up-to-date CV (including ID number, cellular number and email address).
- Availability for volunteer work (when you will be able to volunteer).
- The time you will be available for volunteer work (for how long).
The first volunteers will leave for Ethiopia sometime towards June 2011. However, we need volunteers during the next two years (2011-2013) and therefore individuals who are not currently available are invited to send their CVs, and to state when they will be available and for how long.
Selection Process
At this time the selection process for the June mission has ended. However, you can send your CV for review in order to participate in a future mission.
For further details, please contact:
Aviva Levy at 02-6204352
We thank you for your willingness to volunteer and wish you success in your endeavors.