UJC Assists Ethiopian Jewry in Israel

United Jewish Communities (UJC) of MetroWest NJ understands its obligation to continue to nurture the Ethiopian community, to ensure that it, like waves of immigrants before it, will assume a full place in the life of Israel. UJC supports a wide range of programs and services for the Ethiopian community. Many of these services are provided in partnership with Jewish communities across North America through our primary overseas partners. In addition, UJC has several programs it specifically supports, including its signature program, Project Atzmaut in the city of Rishon LeZion.

The aliyah (immigration to Israel) of Ethiopian Jews began in large numbers with Operation Moses in 1985 and Operation Solomon in 1991. Today, Israel's Ethiopian community numbers 100,000. In most immigrant experiences, newcomers continue to struggle to reach parity with society in terms of employment, academic achievement, and socioeconomic status. 

For the Ethiopians, who emigrated from a far less developed nation, the adjustment to Israeli life has been particularly challenging. Twenty years after the first major wave of arrivals, Israel's Ethiopians are struggling. Only 13 percent of Ethiopian adults are educated beyond high school, compared to 50 percent of the general Jewish population; 45 percent of Ethiopian men and 34 percent of Ethiopian women are employed, compared to 73 percent and 66 percent respectively in the general Jewish population. 
 
Through its programs, UJC is helping Ethiopian families adapt to life in an information-age society, provide educational support and enrichment to Ethiopian children, and train Ethiopian adults and place them in jobs. UJC is supporting the needs of the Falas Mura community remaining in Ethiopia and helping to extend initial resettlement services to them as they arrive in Israel. UJC is making a difference every day in the lives of Ethiopian Jews.