Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the mission of Friends of Ethiopian Jews (FEJ)?
2. How does FEJ select programs to support?
4. What is the criteria for applying for a grant?
5. Does FEJ award scholarships?
6. Are donations to FEJ tax-deductible?
7. Is FEJ a registered 501(C)(3) organization in good standing?
8. What programs does FEJ operate?
9. Does FEJ work in Ethiopia today?
10. What are FEJ’s overhead or administrative costs?
11. Can I volunteer in Israel to help Ethiopian Jews?
12. Can I volunteer in the U.S. to help Ethiopian Jews?
14. May I use the materials on the AAEJ Archives Online Page and Website?
1. What is the mission of Friends of Ethiopian Jews (FEJ)?
FEJ’s mission is to support equality, education and employment for Ethiopian Israelis by assisting organizations, programs and projects directed by Ethiopian Israelis themselves.
2. How does FEJ select programs to support?
FEJ supports programs, projects and organizations that are managed, directed, led, controlled, operated or governed by Ethiopian Israelis, with the leadership and decision-making authority in their hands. FEJ does not support programs that are only FOR Ethiopian Israelis; the programs must be BY and FOR Ethiopian Israelis.
FEJ does not support programs or organizations outside these parameters.
3. Does FEJ make grants?
Yes, FEJ makes grants to Ethiopian Israeli organizations, programs and projects. Grants are usually in the range of $5,000 – $20,000. FEJ does not make grants to individuals.
4. What is the criteria for applying for a grant?
First, grant applicants must be programs, projects and organizations that are managed, directed, led, controlled, operated or governed by Ethiopian Israelis, with the leadership and decision-making authority in their hands. FEJ does not support programs that are simply FOR Ethiopian Israelis; programs must be both BY and FOR Ethiopian Israelis.
Second, grants are usually awarded in December, and the deadline for submitting a grant request is November 1st.
Thirdly, before a full application is sent, a short “email of inquiry” (formerly called an LOI or “letter of inquiry”) should be sent to info@friendsofethiopianjews.org summarizing the program and/or organization, the Board and staff make-up, the budget and the need. If it seems like a good fit, a full application will be arranged.
FEJ does not provide grants for existing budget deficits.
5. Does FEJ award scholarships?
No, FEJ does not award individual scholarships. FEJ does, however, support Ethiopian Israeli organizations and programs that provide scholarships, and directs scholarship seekers to programs such as the Keren Hanan Aynor Scholarship Program.
6. Are donations to FEJ tax-deductible?
Yes, donations to FEJ are tax-deductible in the United States to the extent allowable by your personal tax situation. FEJ is not registered in Canada.
7. Is FEJ a registered 501(C)(3) organization in good standing?
Yes. FEJ is in good standing in its registered state of Delaware and with the Federal government (IRS). The annual Form 990, which is required each year by the IRS, is available upon request.
8. What programs does FEJ operate?
FEJ does not operate any programs per se, with the exception of maintaining the AAEJ Archives Online; serving as a resource for information and education about Ethiopian Jews; and raising funds for Ethiopian Israeli programs in Israel. All programs for equality, education and employment in Israel are directed and implemented by Ethiopian Israeli organizations and Ethiopian Israeli leaders themselves in Israel.
9. Does FEJ work in Ethiopia today?
No, FEJ does not have or support any programs in Ethiopia for the Falash Mura community or any other groups. FEJ focuses exclusively on assisting Ethiopian Jews in Israel.
10. What are FEJ’s overhead or administrative costs?
FEJ maintains extremely low overhead and admin costs. FEJ has one part-time administrator and no office rent, with volunteer Board members working out of their own homes or offices. Insurance, postal fees, internet service provider (IPS) costs, software fees, subscriptions, bank charges and other administrative costs are between 3-5% each year.
11. Can I volunteer in Israel to help Ethiopian Jews?
Absolutely! If you are interested in volunteering in Israel (when conditions open up again), start by reviewing the programs listed on www.friendsofethiopianjews.org. Each program has a Program Page. See what best matches your interests, experience, and skill set. At the bottom of each Program Page, you will find the contact information for that program. Email or phone the contact person directly. Each program has their own volunteer criteria and makes their own decisions and arrangements.
12. Can I volunteer in the U.S. to help Ethiopian Jews?
If you are interested in volunteering in the U.S., the opportunities are limited to fund raising or technology & internet needs. FEJ does not operate any programming in the U.S. Contact info@friendsofethiopianjews.org if you would like to help raise funds for programs in Israel or have advanced technology skills that you would like to offer pro bono.
13. Does FEJ help students, PhD candidates, Masters degree candidates, journalists or filmmakers with research, articles, studies, papers and other inquiries about interviewing or contacting sources?
If you are writing a paper, thesis or article or creating a film and wish to interview Ethiopian Jews, start by reviewing the programs listed on www.friendsofethiopianjews.org. See what best matches your field of interest. At the bottom of each Program Page, you will find the website or Facebook address, and the contact information for that program. Email or phone the contact or organization directly to request an interview or information. Please do NOT contact FEJ and ask them to review the programs for you.
14. May I use the materials on the AAEJ Archives Online Page and Website?
Yes, you may use photos, videos and documents as long as the purpose is non-commercial (not for profit) and the Archives are credited.
Credit the archives by including the words, “Photos courtesy of AAEJ Archives Online.” Or, “Documents courtesy of AAEJ Archives Online.”, etc. at the front or back of a book or article, under a photo, at the beginning or end of a video/film. Please credit the Archives in both Hebrew and English, if possible. Contact susan@friendsofethiopianjews.org with any questions.
FEJ encourages the use of the Archives, which place Ethiopian Jews at the center of their long and amazing saga and as heroes of Jewish history.