Addressing Critical Issues in Israeli Society

“The State of Israel…will be based on freedom, justice and peace…it will ensure complete equality of social and

political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or gender…”

Israel’s Declaration of Independence5 Iyyar 5708 / 14 May 1948

What is NIF?

Goals:

• To protect the civil and human rights of all Israelis,

• To close the social and economic gaps between Israel’s diverse communities, and

• To promote religious

pluralism and tolerance.

Issues include Jewish-Arab equality, women’s rights, advocating for migrant workers, LGBT rights and environmental justice.

1. Grant-making

2. Capacity-building

3. Leadership Development

4. Public Advocacy

How does NIF work?

Through litigation, lobbying, and community empowerment, NIF grantees have emerged as the core of Israeli civil society.

Integration of Ethiopian Israelis:More Borders to Cross

• Beta Israel• Operation Moses, 1984• Operation Solomon, 1991 • 120,000 in Israel • Languages: Amharic and Tigrigna

Basic Facts

Challenges

Discrimination

Youth-at-risk

Poor living conditions

Unemployment

2009: Sephardi Chief Rabbi (Shlomo Amar) declared that students of Ethiopian origin cannot be accepted into religious schools in

Petah Tikva because of "halakhic reasons.”

Ethiopian parents’ ability to act as strong role models weakens as they struggle to integrate into Israeli

society. As some youth see their parents struggle, they fail to understand the value of learning about their Ethiopian heritage and culture, and gradually stray

away from their family.

 The majority of Ethiopians live in impoverished development towns where they are isolated from

mainstream Israeli society.

Looking at the Numbers

Matriculation exam success

Fail Pass

Children’s living conditions

Below the poverty line

Above the poverty line

Unemployment

Unemployed

Employed

Asher Elias

Against All Odds

Working to empower the Ethiopian Israeli community

Responding to the Challenges • Address poverty,

unemployment and housing issues in the Ethiopian community

• Ensure equal access to education for all Ethiopian children

• Provide opportunities for Ethiopian youth-at-risk

• Empower Ethiopians with the skills and confidence to change their own situation

Making a Difference on the Ground

TEBEKA—Center for Legal Aid and Advocacy for Ethiopian Jews in IsraelLegal assistance and empowerment activities to advance the rights of citizens of Ethiopian origin

Friends by Nature—Community EmpowermentDeveloping civil society, young leadership and increasing community involvement for the successful integration of the Ethiopian immigrant community

www.nif.org/get-involved

• Attend NIF events

• Stay informed: sign up for NIF’s e-newsletter

• Follow NIF on Facebook and Twitter

• Join New Generations (20s and 30s)

• See NIF on the ground: join an NIF trip to Israel

• Apply for NIF fellowship programs (20s and 30s)

How can you get involved?