How can we really mean it?

A new study offers a plan to better integrate Ethiopian Jewry.

By ALLAN G. REITZES
Ethiopian Jewry is here but its successful integration remains in doubt. Successive governments, two national plans and a plethora of public and private programs have achieved only limited positive results in bringing this community fully into Israeli society. Where have we failed and what do we need to do to succeed? First generation Ethiopian Israelis have a distinct folk culture and community life which do not fit easily into the general culture. They suffer from debilitating stresses, such as trying to learn a new language, limited education and few job skills. Their predicament exacerbates the already significant strain of adjusting to a new life. Our failure to account for the immigrant generation's many personal and collective needs has consequences that weigh heavily on society. Only a minority of Ethiopian youth have successfully integrated in society. The numerous, well-intended supplementary programs for Ethiopian children and youth cannot make much progress when these young people live in a traditional community that has been shattered. An unfortunate consequence of the slow progress of the first generation's integration is that it leads to stereotyping as ignorant, backward and uncooperative. In turn, this leads to lower expectations for successful integration among Ethiopians and among those trying to help them. In addition, the loss of the traditional Ethiopian Jewish social-cultural and communal frameworks has been traumatic and injurious to the community. It is disheartening to parents when they cannot be mentors and supporters to their children. Mothers and fathers strive to understand and parent their children. Children struggle in school and with their identity. The community has become dependent. THE FOUNDATION for helping achieve successful integration rests on the following pillars:
  • It is necessary is to support and understand traditional customs and practices in ways that will facilitate full participation in Israeli life.
  • Leadership and community development must provide the basis for a sense of confidence and self-esteem for the Ethiopians as well as for the helping community.
  • Collaboration and planning among the governmental and non-governmental organizations and the integration of their programs will significantly increase the chances for Ethiopian families and communities to succeed. Here follow specific recommendations. Customs and traditions:
  • Build the capacity of existing Ethiopian religious and cultural nonprofits or establish new ones.
  • Fund professionals to work with these religious and cultural groups to promote and create learning and practice frameworks.
  • Find the connections for this way of life to be integrated in Israeli society. Community development, coordination and planning:
  • Build on what the community is already doing in what it considers to be its own interest through local coalitions of Ethiopians, municipality, NGOs, businessmen, philanthropists and Diaspora communities.
  • A national level coalition(s) should be created from the sharing of local coalition best practices to inform, advocate and influence national policy. Education and employment:
  • Fund intensive and extended literacy programs (invest in multiple models to identify best practices).
  • Identify and overcome barriers to participation.
  • Implement market-based employment programs and services using locally-based resources.
  • Fund local and national employment access, rights, and advocacy initiatives and use legal aid where necessary. Family and youth:
  • Provide young couples/families with programs (mortgage, renovation) that enable them to stay or leave their neighborhoods, as they choose.
  • Aid large families need special assistance (mortgage, renovation).
  • Reduce the number of programs but maintain or increase staff at a level which enables them to do the job. The author is a consultant to Jewish organizations in Israel and North America. This article is based on the findings of Do We Really Mean It?: Field Observations on the Ethiopian Israeli Community, a study funded and conducted on behalf of United Jewish communities (UJC).