Friends of Ethiopian Jews is pleased to announce its new partnership with Keren Hanan Aynor, which provides scholarships for Ethiopian Israelis seeking higher academic education.  Keren Hanan Aynor particularly targets older students who may have less support available - such as students earning Masters degrees or PhD's, students returning to school at a later age, or married students with families.    Read more about Keren Hanan Aynor and their accomplished Chairperson, Tsega Melaku,  HERE.

Ethiopian Israeli leaders from two outstanding organizations were in the U.S. recently speaking to the American Jewish Community.  Tebeka-Advocacy for Equality and Justice for Ethiopian Israelis and Olim Beyahad-Employment and Leadership for Ethiopian Israeli University Graduates were recognized by American Jewish major organizations such as AIPAC, large Federations and other groups. Tebeka Director Fentahun Assefa-Dawit was a key speaker at the recent AIPAC conference in Washington DC.  ...

On Sunday, April 30 at 5 pm, a special preview short version of the feature-length, work-in-progress documentary film, "HEROES" will be shown at B'nai Jeshurun Community House in New York City.   The address is 270 West 89th Street. There is no charge to attend the Special Preview, but B'nai Jeshurun asks that you register beforehand if possible.    To register, Click Here     WALK-INS ARE ALSO WELCOME!    So if you are going to be in NYC on Sunday, April 30, please come to this special film ...

The Justice Ministry informed the High Court on Monday that they have offered a deal to the policeman who beat Demas Ferkeda, a young Ethiopian Israeli solider in uniform, without provocation.  Either the policeman would plead guilty and accept punishment, or he will be indicted.  This follows nearly two years of advocacy work by Tebekea, the IAEJ, and other Ethiopian Israeli organizations and leadership, after the courts had originally declined to indict the policemen.   Read the story in Haare...

Justice eluded Ethiopian Israeli soldier Demas Ferkeda in 2015, but that may be changing.  The Jerusalem Post has published an article stating that the Israeli Attorney General is likely to indict policemen who beat  Demas  in Spring 2015.    This unprovoked beating by policemen of a young Ethiopian Israeli soldier - in uniform - was caught on video that went viral, causing protests and demonstrations throughout Israel for months.   Courts originally declined to indict the policemen, despite the...

Find out the 2079+ ways Tebeka impacted Israel in 2016.   Read the Tebeka Year End Summary here. Tebeka - Advocacy for Equality and Justice for Ethiopian Israelis! (more…)

   

The Israel Bar Association announced on Thursday that for the first time in Israeli history, two Ethiopian women have been selected by the Israeli Judicial Committee to serve as judges. Adenko Sabhat Haimovich is due to become a magistrate court judge, while Esther Tapeta Gradi will become a traffic court judge.  Esther is a graduate of the Olim Beyahad program, one of the most outstanding and successful Ethiopian Israeli program supported by Friends of Ethiopian Jews. Friends of Ethiopian Je...

Israeli media widely covered the story in late June about the Ministry of Religious Affairs refusing to extend the contract of 67-year-old Rabbi Yosef Hadane, the Chief Ethioipian Israeli rabbi.  Rabbi Hadane was the first Ethiopian Jewish religious leader who chose to become an Orthodox  Rabbi in Israel, rather than follow in his father's footsteps as a Kes.     See the account in the English-language JERUSALEM POST, HERE. In response, Friends of Ethiopian Jews wrote an Op-Ed to the Post, wh...

This new book by Rabbi Dr. Sharon Shalom examines the history, customs, and law of the Beta Israel, codifying the ancient cultural heritage of Ethiopian Jewry for the first time and contrasting it with Orthodox rabbinic law.  It is a fascinating read for everyone interested in the history and practice of Judaism and the amazing religious tenacity of Ethiopian Jews. Rabbi Dr. Sharon Shalom made aliyah to Israel on his own in 1982 at the age of eight. He received his PhD in Jewish philosophy fr...