Bri'ut in Beit Shemesh בריאות בבית שמש
This was my first experience in an Ethiopian-Israeli community. I arranged to meet the ENP Field Coordinator at the local Community Center in Beit Shemesh, and once I arrived I discovered that there was going to be a meeting with the parents in the community. Seeing the parents reflected just how distinctive this culture is from others in Israel. Tattoos on the forehead and jaw were common, and many men and woman had traditional garb, such as intricately designed shawls. All the women had covered heads, and the men either wore Jewish kippot or sports caps.
Amharic was spoken language in the circles of adults prior to the event, but I had a short conversation with one mother in Hebrew. She had moved to Israel three years ago, and had learned Hebrew from her son, who was now fifteen years old and studying at a Yeshiva in Jerusalem. She did not know how to write Hebrew, though, and relied on her children for help.
The ceremony itself was a meeting with the leaders of the community, who discussed the children's programs that are offered and funded by the Ethiopian National Project. Following this, there was a special lecture by an Ethiopian-Israeli doctor on health concerns and hygiene. The entire event was in Amharic, but some of the coordinators translated for me. I learned that there were about 330 children under the age of six, in a community of about 650 families. The leaders explained how the cost of each child is very high, and the money raised by ENP is all non-profit and applied to programs, such as scholastic assistance, and aid for the residents. As for the Doctor's lecture, I found it refreshing to sit through a Powerpoint presentation in an foreign language. There were even diagrams of lice on the slides, with details in Amharic. Through the entirety of the ceremony and lecture, I learned only one word in Amharic: "gasha," the equivalent of "Mister."
This was only my first experience visiting the communities, but it really opened my eyes to the challenges that facing the community, from the perspectives of economy and safety. The leaders make due with what they have, but they can certainly use more aid, to occupy the children and provide activities for the children and families.
Amharic was spoken language in the circles of adults prior to the event, but I had a short conversation with one mother in Hebrew. She had moved to Israel three years ago, and had learned Hebrew from her son, who was now fifteen years old and studying at a Yeshiva in Jerusalem. She did not know how to write Hebrew, though, and relied on her children for help.
The ceremony itself was a meeting with the leaders of the community, who discussed the children's programs that are offered and funded by the Ethiopian National Project. Following this, there was a special lecture by an Ethiopian-Israeli doctor on health concerns and hygiene. The entire event was in Amharic, but some of the coordinators translated for me. I learned that there were about 330 children under the age of six, in a community of about 650 families. The leaders explained how the cost of each child is very high, and the money raised by ENP is all non-profit and applied to programs, such as scholastic assistance, and aid for the residents. As for the Doctor's lecture, I found it refreshing to sit through a Powerpoint presentation in an foreign language. There were even diagrams of lice on the slides, with details in Amharic. Through the entirety of the ceremony and lecture, I learned only one word in Amharic: "gasha," the equivalent of "Mister."This was only my first experience visiting the communities, but it really opened my eyes to the challenges that facing the community, from the perspectives of economy and safety. The leaders make due with what they have, but they can certainly use more aid, to occupy the children and provide activities for the children and families.
The Ethiopian-Israeli Community in Bet Shemesh is supported by the Jewish Federation of Washington, and its United Jewish Endowment Fund.
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