The New Israel Fund (NIF) has awarded the “Guardian of Democracy” Gallanter Prize to Efrat Yerday, the chair of Israel’s Association for Ethiopian Jews (AEJ) and a talented, transformational leader of the progressive movement in Israel.    Efrat spoke via video on September 13th, 2020, to receive the prize and tell her story.

Efrat was awarded the cash prize in recognition of her profound moral vision which is both deeply rooted in her own community and based in the universal principles of freedom, dignity, and human rights for all.  In particular, the prize will recognize her contributions fighting institutional racism, combating police violence, and demanding better representation for people of color in Israel’s public sphere.

In an interview, Efrat said “I see the Ethiopian community’s fight against police brutality and racism as an opportunity — if we can address them in one case, we can address them in all, and help prevent violence from trickling into the rest of Israeli society. I am proud to receive this prize from the New Israel Fund, which seeks justice for Ethiopian Israelis as it does for every member of Israeli society.”

Efrat is a writer as well as an activist. Over the years, she has not only spoken out on behalf of the Ethiopian Israeli community, but she has set up new spaces for discussing Ethiopian Israeli identity and history — blogs, academic courses, and even a publishing house called “Ra’av” (“hunger”), which aims to add writers of color to Israeli bookshelves.

The Gallanter Prize is awarded annually to an outstanding Israeli activist who has made significant contributions to the field of social justice in Israel. 

The Association of Ethiopian Jews (AEJ), formerly the Israel Association for Ethiopian Jews (IAEJ), is a unique advocacy organization and formidable voice for the Ethiopian Jewish community in Israel. It is the single most powerful advocate to major Israeli leaders in the municipal & national governments to advance full and successful integration of Ethiopian Jews.  AEJ’s work to break down barriers and improve the quality of life of Ethiopian-Israelis reverberates throughout all strata of Israel, and creates a more just society overall.

AEJ accomplishes its mission through direct advocacy in government ministries and in the Knesset, as well as by providing information to the community, policy makers and the media.  AEJ initiates community empowerment projects that provide Ethiopian-Israelis with knowledge and tools that enable them to bridge the social and cultural gaps they face, and access the social and legal rights to which they are entitled, at the same time preserving their historic Ethiopian culture and heritage, which enriches all of world Jewry.

Click here to make a donation in support of the AEJ.