Through the Jewish Agency Partnership 2000 program, the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle Meta Rosenbaum Endowment Fund awarded scholarships to Kiryat Malachi's dream team of undergraduates. 25 talented young men and women of Ethiopian origin from Kiryat Malachi received the four-year scholarship.

The Scholarship Awards Ceremony, held in Kiryat Malachi on January 31st, 2007, marks the third installment of the four-year scholarship. This generous $250,000 fund covers four years of tuition for each of the 25 students, including their first year of preparatory studies and the subsequent three years of undergraduate studies. Another component of the scholarship is a $250 gift, awarded to each recipient for personal expenses.

Attending guests from Seattle included Ms. Lorena Eisenberg and Ms. Dina Tanners, lay leaders of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle; and Ms. Amy Wasser Simpson, Vice President of the Seattle Federation. In her speech, Ms. Wasser Simpson spoke of the honor she felt in contributing to Israel's future by investing in the education of promising youths.

Mr. Jeff Kaye, Director General of the Jewish Agency's Department for Resource Development and Public Affairs emphasized that another approach to strengthening Israel is by fostering the bonds between American Jewish communities and communities in Israel. Also in attendance were Arie Levy, Director of the Jewish Agency's Partnership 2000 and Mr. David Galam, Deputy Mayor of Kiryat Malachi.

Eldad Taraka represented student recipients. Eldad is the first male student of Ethiopian origin to study fashion design in Shenkar, Israel's top design school. In his address, he described the long and difficult path that brought him to this stage in his life. He explained that he considers his acceptance to such a prestigious college a true feat, and therefore he sees himself as a trailblazer. Eldad expressed his gratitude to the Jewish Agency, the Federation of Greater Seattle, and to the Meta Rosenbaum Endowment Fund. It was his hope that his younger brother, who aims to be the second male student of Ethiopian origin to attend the Shenkar College of Engineering and Design, might be equally fortunate. 

Partnering the Jewish world with the people of Israel is vital to securing the promise of our future. Nothing is more powerful than the impact of our collective action.  Currently, the Jewish Agency Partnership 2000 program boasts 45 partnerships between Jewish communities abroad and Israeli communities.  To find out more about community-to-community opportunities, click here.