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Addressing Critical Issues in Israeli Society

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 Independence

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Addressing Critical Issues in Israeli Society

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  1. Addressing Critical Issues in Israeli Society

  2. “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 Independence 5 Iyyar 5708 / 14 May 1948

  3. 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.

  4. How does NIF work? • Grant-making • Capacity-building • Leadership Development • Public Advocacy Through litigation, lobbying, and community empowerment, NIF grantees have emerged as the core of Israeli civil society.

  5. Integration of Ethiopian Israelis:More Borders to Cross

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

  7. Challenges Discrimination Youth-at-risk Poor living conditions Unemployment 2009: Sephardi Chief Rabbi (ShlomoAmar) 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.

  8. Looking at the Numbers

  9. Against All Odds Asher Elias Working to empower the Ethiopian Israeli community

  10. 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

  11. Making a Difference on the Ground TEBEKA—Center for Legal Aid and Advocacy for Ethiopian Jews in Israel Legal assistance and empowerment activities to advance the rights of citizens of Ethiopian origin Friends by Nature—Community Empowerment Developing civil society, young leadership and increasing community involvement for the successful integration of the Ethiopian immigrant community

  12. How can you 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) www.nif.org/get-involved

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