LIFELINE • NOVEMBER 2013 • ISSUE NO: 78 Lifeline Is Published Three Times Annually

NORTH AMERICAN CONFERENCE ON ETHIOPIAN JEWRY

FALL 2013

This article, written by NACOEJ President Rabbi Jerome (Jerry) Epstein, appeared in the “Jerusalem Post” on 9/1/2013, and has received a great deal of attention. OPERATION WINGS OF THE DOVE With regard to the Ethiopian aliyah, as arduous as the efforts of the past have been, they pale in comparison to the challenges we must now confront. peration Wings of the Dove was celebrated at Ben-Gurion Airport on Wednesday as the State of Israel and the Jewish OAgency proudly concluded their commitment to enable the aliyah of Ethiopian Jews. There is, for certain, a remnant of that community whose cases must be reviewed and others whose legitimate claims of hardship must be heard and resolved. But, we must not lose sight of the Celebrating the Special magnificent accomplishment that has been achieved. The North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry has also Holiday of Ethiopian Jews played a pivotal role in this aliyah narrative. It was NACOEJ that gain this year, thousands of Ethiopian Jews gathered mobilized the North American Jewish community to make the Ain Jerusalem to celebrate their unique Sigd holiday, aliyah of Ethiopian Jews a priority nearly three decades ago. commemorating the return of the Jews from Babylonian It was NACOEJ that helped inspire rabbis from various streams, exile, the re-giving of the Torah by Ezra the Scribe, and including the Israeli Chief Rabbinate, to agree that for the purposes the renewal of the Sinai covenant. of aliyah, Israel should consider the Ethiopian Jewish community And again, this year, NACOEJ-Israel Director Shoshana to be Jewish. Ben-Dor and partners taught the Sigd liturgy in the For most of these three decades, it was NACOEJ that ran the ancient Ethiopian Ge’ez language to Ethiopian and food pantries to feed the hungry. non-Ethiopian students at the Jerusalem site. An “experimental edition” of the Sigd prayer book with It was NACOEJ that created a “weaving business” to provide Shoshana’s transliterations and translations of the prayers work for the unemployed in Addis Ababa. And, it was NACOEJ was distributed. that built and ran the Gondar school. But there are some changes. Now that the Sigd is a We are proud of our accomplishments and those of the Jewish national Israeli holiday, Ethiopian Israelis feel secure Agency and the State of Israel. But believe it or not, as arduous as enough to argue about it. Some prominent Ethiopian the efforts of the past have been, they pale in comparison to the Kessotch (Ethiopian-Jewish religious leaders) complain challenges we must now confront. that the holiday that commenced with a fast in Ethiopia, Ethiopian children who have recently come to Israel enter school has become more of a social get-together than a day of CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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or neglected. We have Adequate housing is a burning issue. succeeded in fostering When Ethiopians leave the absorption WINGS | CONT. FROM PAGE 1 the Ethiopian aliyah, centers, they are, indeed, granted at a severe disadvantage. but we can do more. stipends – either mortgages or rental Their education in Gondar was We must do more. allotments for housing. The rental not close to the level of their Unemployment and subsidies for five years permit them to peers in Israeli schools. They under- employment live modestly for the duration of the are struggling to learn a new in the Ethiopian com- grant, but they are then responsible to language. munity is stimulating carry the burden on their own. Unless They are struggling to learn poverty. Various reports they have been fortunate enough to Rabbi Jerome Epstein a new culture. And, they are indicate that 65% to obtain a reasonable job during that learning how to learn for the first time 72% of Ethiopian children live below period, they have no resources to pay in their lives. the poverty line. the rent and must move into even more inferior quarters. Because in many cases their parents Many are hungry – which impacts on do not have the educational skills to their learning as well as their attitudes Those who receive mortgages often help them, these children are often at a toward life. I have watched the children find that the only apartments they can disadvantage when compared to their in Limudiah programs voraciously eat afford are in substandard housing and Israeli peers. the lunch we give them as part of the in neighborhoods that do not inspire Their public school teachers strive program because for many it is the only upward mobility. to nurture their learning, but the balanced meal of the day. Then, with Perhaps the time has come for all challenges are frequently greater tears in my eyes, I have seen children those who are concerned about the than the system can handle. Various carefully pack a portion of the meal Ethiopian community to create a organizations have created out- so that they will have something to eat consortium for providing solutions that standing educational programs to for dinner. will ameliorate the housing crisis in an foster learning opportunities for these Families live in cramped conditions effective fashion. Together, we can do children. in neighborhoods in which poverty is more. We must do more. NACOEJ, for example, has established the norm. Because unemployment is Now is the time for celebration of our Limudiah programs after school for so high, there are too few models of achievements! We have accomplished several hours a day in a spectrum of success for children to emulate. The what many said would be impossible. communities. We guide students with culture of poverty becomes cyclical. We But our outstanding success must their homework and answer their need to develop training programs that now inspire further commitment to questions. We enrich their daily lessons. will help Ethiopians acquire skills that action. Without resolving the crises Yes, the programs exist – but there will equip them to enter the workforce in housing, education, and jobs, we are not enough. in Israel. Then we must provide the run the risk of creating a permanent And, because of a lack of funds, some right incentives to hire them and give under-class that will plague Israel for – too many – children are overlooked them on-the-job training. generations to come. n

SIGD | CONT. FROM PAGE 1 Congratulations to… prayer and repentance in Israel – with political speeches and vendors selling food • NACOEJ Office ManagerNelya and drink. Danielova and husband Yuriy Others are urging that Sigd should be a more universal day of prayer for Jews Danielov, on the marriage of their everywhere. daughter Rita to Yan Kusayev. Shoshana points out that the Sigd liturgy includes aspects of the High Holidays, Congratulations also to Rita’s Tisha B’Av, Yom Ha’Atzmaut, and Shavuot, which all Jews can relate to. brother Salomon. And Rabbi Yosef Hadane, Chief Rabbi of the Ethiopian-Israeli community says, “Our forefathers in Ethiopia always prayed to return to Jerusalem…We are here, but the vast majority of the Jewish nation is still in the Diaspora. This day and these prayers are very important for the ingathering of the exiles…I would suggest that LIFELINE • NOVEMBER 2013 • ISSUE NO: 78 Lifeline is published three times annually. Jews around the world adopt this.”* NACOEJ • 255 West 36th St. • New York, NY 10018 As if in response, this year two Sigd celebrations were held in New York City, attracting not only Ethiopian-Israelis here, but many Americans fascinated by an ancient Jewish ritual born in Africa. n *Quote excerpted from “The Gift of Sigd”, by Shai Afshai, Voices of Conservative/Masorti Judaism, Fall 2013.

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Three NACOEJ Heroes Condolences to… • NACOEJ Director of Whose Work Lives On… Development and Donor Relations hese three NACOEJ heroes had would cover. Like Evelyn, he answered the Danielle Ben-Jehuda on the important things in common. They were students’ letters. passing of her beloved father, T Jehuda Ben-Jehuda, of Metar, Israel. all Jews wanting to help those in need. All One of Jerry’s students invited him to her made a huge impact on the Ethiopian- wedding in Israel. By then Jerry needed a • NACOEJ Education Coordinator Jewish community. Sadly, all are gone, but walker. But he went to the wedding, where Karen Gens on the passing of her their work lives on. the bride asked her “American grandfather” beloved father, George W. Gens, What they didn’t have in common was to join her for the first dance. The bride, of Coconut Creek, Florida. money. One was a retired teacher living on Jerry, and his walker danced together. He • The family and friends of a pension, one was a retired businessman called it ”a night of supreme joy”. After Dr. Joan L. Schiff, curator of the living comfortably, and one was very rich. Jerry passed on, the group was continued NACOEJ Ethiopian artifacts and member of our Advisory Board. Evelyn Deitchman was the retired by friends. teacher. For over 20 years, she administered Lloyd Rigler was the very rich man. He the Adopt-A-Student Sponsorship Program had a foundation which usually sponsored as a volunteer in the NACOEJ New York the arts and environmental issues – but Rabbi Ovadia Yosef office. She corresponded with hundreds the plight of Jewish children in Ethiopia On October 7, 2013, hundreds of sponsors via hand-written notes and tugged at his heart. He volunteered funds of thousands of Israelis phone calls. Many became close friends. to create the NACOEJ Feeding Centers in followed the coffin that Evelyn couldn’t afford to adopt a student Addis Ababa and Gondar. Lloyd funded carried the late Rabbi Ovadia on her own, so she formed a group of life-saving meals for thousands of children. Yosef through Jerusalem to his final resting place. friends who sponsored together. Evelyn Children in Ethiopia have a high mortality shared the students’ letters with her friends rate around age three. But the children Within the crowd were many Ethiopian Jews, mourning the and answered them. The AAS Program Lloyd fed did not die. Today most of those loss of the former Chief Rabbi grew substantially and still reflects her children are in Israel. Many have gone who opened the doors to structure, her ideas, and her ideals. through NACOEJ educational programs Israel for them in 1973. and become self-supporting citizens in Jerry Simon was the retired busi- At that time, when most nessman. He could afford to adopt a Israel. Looking back, some of them now Jews were either ignorant student but one wasn’t enough for him. say, “NACOEJ saved my life.” Lloyd’s legacy of, or ambivalent about, the So he too formed a group. Every year he is their lives. Jewishness of these dark- wrote a letter to his friends, asking them Evelyn, Jerry, and Lloyd were skinned Ethiopians, Rabbi to contribute whatever they could. He heroes who gave generously of what they Ovadia Yosef spoke out strongly, ruling that the so- added his own money and sponsored as had and of what they were. Their influence called “Falasha” were indeed many students as the combined funds n did not end with their lives. Jews and eligible to come to Israel. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef’s word was law to the many who Living On… revered him as one of the greatest Talmudic scholars f you, like Evelyn, Jerry and Lloyd, would like to ensure that your concern and of his time, and though he Iaffection for Ethiopian Jews will live on past your own lifetime, you can help was sometimes considered secure our ongoing education programs for this special community, some of a controversial figure, to whom are still very new to Israel, by making provision in your will. the Jews of Ethiopia he was, Even as you continue your support now, please consider a bequest to NACOEJ. and remained, their beloved Help ensure that the programs you support today will be there for children from champion and protector. immigrant families tomorrow, and they will not be trapped in a cycle of poverty. With them, we mourn the For questions about making a bequest, please contact your lawyer, accountant, loss of a courageous rabbi, or financial advisor. For questions about NACOEJ programs, please contact without whose outspoken Danielle Ben-Jehuda at [email protected] or phone 212-233-5200, ext. 227. advocacy the Jews of Ethiopia might have been left isolated And if you’ve decided to make provision for a bequest to NACOEJ, please and abandoned forever. check off the special box that tells us so on the enclosed reply card. We hope you will do so – and we thank you so much.

NACOEJ • 255 WEST 36TH ST. • SUITE 701 • NEW YORK, NY 10018 • 212-233-5200 • FAX: 212-233-5243 • EMAIL: [email protected] • WWW.NACOEJ.ORG NACOEJ • 255 WEST 36TH ST. • SUITE 701 • NEW YORK, NY 10018 • 212-233-5200 • FAX: 212-233-5243 • EMAIL: [email protected] • WWW.NACOEJ.ORG 4 SPONSOR A STUDENT IN ISRAEL

AAS STUDENT LETTERS COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO NEED SPONSORS Avraham Valda-Miryam TO SPONSORS He trained medics in the IDF. Now he hopes to become a In Their Own Words… doctor. Here are some excerpts from letters written by college students to their AAS sponsors. We think they illustrate My name is Avraham Valda-Miryam. My how important AAS sponsorships are to the students, father, Gabriel Siles, emigrated from and how fulfilling they can be for those who help Ethiopia before the State of Israel was established in these outstanding young people reach their goals. 1948. My late mother, Asalfatesh Ingida (z”l), arrived in Please consider becoming a sponsor yourself. the 1980’s. They met and married in Israel. I was born From Nursing Student in 1984. Almaz Ababa: I graduated from Ziv Marks High School in Jerusalem “I would like to thank you again for in 2003, and then served as a soldier and a medic in the your sponsorship. For me it is a lot. IDF Givati Brigade*. I don’t take your support for granted. During my IDF service, I worked alongside army It is greatly appreciated…I send you physicians, and discovered I can function well under a big hug and wish you much health, pressure, and during military action. Then I trained happiness, love and an undying smile.” soldiers and medics. They’re still in touch with me. I think that’s a measure of my success that they feel I did From University Student a good job. Shoshana Gete: After the IDF, I took a college prep course at Hebrew “I hope that you are well. I want to University in Jerusalem, and recently I was accepted share a bit of what has happened to into HU’s course in nursing and paramedics at Asaf me since my last letter…I want to tell HaRofeh Hospital. Now my plan for my future is to go as you about my volunteer project at far as I can in the medical field. Maybe I can be a doctor. university. Over the past few months we have taught classes at different schools around Israel. But my father cannot provide me with everything I will need to live while I get my degree. I very much need “Working with classes with and without Ethiopian-Israeli a sponsor to enable me to realize my dream of helping students was amazing. For the Ethiopian students, there people as a medical professional, and hope someone was important added value when they saw university will help. students from our community. This gave them a feeling of ‘yes, I can’. Many thanks for your support.” *The Givati Brigade is a very high-prestige unit in the Israel Defense Forces. Serving in Givati, and training others, shows not only courage From Education Major but a high degree of competence and intelligence. Ilana Raskay: “Thank you very much for your letter. It is great to receive a reply and to know a little more about you. To sponsor an Ethiopian-Israeli Thank you again for everything! college or high school student, I really appreciate your commitment…you made things a lot easier for me. I hope this won’t be our last letter.” and help make their dreams come From College Student true, please contact Karen Gens Yenenesh Kasa: at 212-233-5200, ext. 230 “First of all, I want to wish you well or email: [email protected]. and thank you from my family after they learned of your sponsorship. Please tell her you learned about It’s nice to know that there are people the students in Lifeline. like you who think about students in my situation. I am moved by your warmth, love, and desire to help people like me advance.”

NACOEJ • 255 WEST 36TH ST. • SUITE 701 • NEW YORK, NY 10018 • 212-233-5200 • FAX: 212-233-5243 • EMAIL: [email protected] • WWW.NACOEJ.ORG 5 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO NEED SPONSORS IN NEED OF SPONSORS Sando Dasta Mordechai Kesete She guarded Israel’s borders is in 7th grade at the Religious High School in Yavne. in the IDF. Now she wants a He has five brothers, one who is presently in the army. career in law enforcement The others are all in school. and criminology. During the summer, recognizing family respon- sibilities at an early age, he helps take care of his Shalom. My name is Sando Dasta. younger brothers because both of his parents work in I immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia with my mother, a factory. brother and three sisters in the 1990’s. We have lived Mordechai loves sports and computers. In school he studies English, in Safed ever since. math, communication, Bible, and Hebrew grammar. His favorite We had to make aliyah without our father because subjects are math and physical education, and he dreams of being a he had been forcibly conscripted into the Ethiopian soccer player when he grows up. army. We have tried to locate him, but without Mordechai needs a sponsor to cover the books, educational materials, success. The Ethiopian government says he is missing trip fees, basic school supplies and other essentials his family is unable in action. We miss him terribly but with G-d’s help, we to pay for. He hopes for a sponsor to “help him and his community”. hope for a good outcome. My mother works at the Jewish Agency’s immigrant Wuda (Ruti) Wodag absorption center in Safed. To her, helping other new is in 9th grade in the Bayit VaGan School in Bat Yam. immigrants to Israel closes a circle of gratitude to She came to Israel from Ethiopia in 2004 as a small Israel for opening its arms to us. child. Her family lived in an absorption center in Beer I graduated from high school in Safed. I enlisted Sheva for a year and then settled in Bat Yam. in the army on October 22, 2006 and served in the Wuda has eight brothers and sisters, two serving in military police in the Border Crossing unit*. the army, the rest in boarding schools. Wuda wants to During my service, I took an officers’ course and remain in the good local high school she’s attending. was recognized as an exceptional soldier. After my “My dream,” she says, “is to be a doctor in a hospital, and a successful service, I got a job as a worker and translator for new one at that.” immigrants in a factory. I am now about to begin my She likes learning English and science and proudly says she is really bachelor’s studies in criminology and law enforcement good at both. “I dedicate a lot of time and effort to them,” she says. at Safed Academic College. My mother, who is a single Math is “also great.” mom, cannot help me with my living expenses, so I To become a doctor, Wuda needs a good high school education to very much need a sponsor. Can someone help? prepare for college. To stay in her high school, she needs a sponsor. *Policing Israel’s borders is a high-risk post, even in peacetime. Might you help her realize her dream?

From Herdsman to Physician: A Dream Realized e’ve told you before about the Shaked, and asked her to go to the hospital, Woutstanding Maru Gete, who was a see her brother, and tell the family about herdsman as a child in Ethiopia and who his condition. has become a doctor in Israel with the help Maru and Shaked fell in love and married. of NACOEJ AAS sponsor Elaine Schwartz. Now Maru has his MD, and is interning at Maru graduated from a yeshiva high Soroka Hospital, considering specializing school, and, along with his close high school in pediatrics or ENT surgery. (And he’s friend Asael Lubotsky, was accepted into also working on a Master’s Degree in the IDF’s high-risk, high-prestige Golani public health!) Maru and Shaked (who’s combat unit. The two served together embarking on a PhD in epidemiology next during the second Lebanon war, until Asael year!) now have four children. his dreams. You too can have “nachas” by was severely wounded. We’re happy to share this beautiful family providing a modest living stipend for an Maru accompanied his buddy to the photo with you. Maru’s sponsor, Elaine, Ethiopian-Israeli college student shown hospital. Back on the front lines, under can have much “nachas” from Maru and here or another on our waiting list. (See fire, he managed to contact Asael’s sister her important role in helping him achieve box on page 4 for information.) NACOEJ • 255 WEST 36TH ST. • SUITE 701 • NEW YORK, NY 10018 • 212-233-5200 • FAX: 212-233-5243 • EMAIL: [email protected] • WWW.NACOEJ.ORG 6 LIMUDIAH Challenging Problems Ethiopian Children Face in Israel Today

here are many after-school he was failing first grade. He didn’t Tprograms for underprivileged seem to understand what the children in Israel. So why do towns, homework the other children schools and communities ask so were doing was about. urgently for our Limudiah programs? Our puzzled Limudiah teacher Of course, the small groups, top visited his homeroom class. teachers, hot lunches, and locating in To her dismay, she discovered the the children’s own schools, make a big homeroom teacher hadn’t given difference. But there is more. Another child, 2nd grade: “If we’re Yarden the first grade workbook. hurt or someone teases us, we get It’s time to talk about some of the She assumed he couldn’t handle it, help from our Limudiah teacher. difficult problems many of our children so she had given him a kindergarten We can talk to her about anything.” bring with them to Limudiah. Some workbook instead. Some people have unrealistic are issues no one wants to talk about, Our Limudiah teacher promptly got expectations of Ethiopian parents but in Limudiah we do our best to face a first grade workbook and worked also, mistaking illiteracy for stupidity. them. They can be formidable barriers on it with Yarden. She developed Or assuming that uneducated parents to a child’s ability to learn. special exercises to help bridge the do not care about their children’s One big problem is that some Israeli gap Yarden now had to cross, visited education in Israel. “It’s no use talking teachers have very low expectations of his parents, and showed them how to them, they don’t understand,” we Ethiopian children: “They can’t learn!” to track and respond to Yarden’s hear too often, when the problem may we hear, and this leads too often to self- progress themselves. fulfilling prophecies in homeroom. be that the parents don’t yet know how At the end of the year, Yarden went to get involved in school issues. In one of our first-grade Limudiah home with a prize from the principal. But Ethiopian mothers and fathers classes a little boy we’ll call Yarden* His homeroom teacher had changed are individuals with different histories, seemed exceptionally bright – but her attitude (maybe toward all expectations and abilities to cope with Ethiopian children?). And Yarden’s a strange new world. * Names changed for privacy. parents were justly proud of the role Children discussed are not in the photos. they played in helping their son. It’s true that some Ethiopian parents can’t cope with the huge transition Another problem: children every- to a modern state, and Limudiah, in where can be cruel to others. Children cooperation with the school, may seriously hurt by abusive teasing can have to step in more than usual. act out, become disruptive, or stop We know one family that arrived coming to class. One child came to us with nine children and struggle daily afraid even to eat with other children. to support them. They’ve given up Others hide the pain. on everything but survival. Our Limudiah teachers try to be extra Their daughter, Maya, came to our sensitive to hidden anguish, especially Limudiah looking unkempt, unclean, in children who arrive as transfers from and neglected. The school helped a previous school where they may have with clean clothes and new school had a bad experience. supplies but the parents wouldn’t A 4th grade Limudiah pupil told cooperate. us, “I have a Limudiah teacher who “So it was up to us,” our Limudiah always helps me. When I’m unhappy teacher said. “Maya’s homeroom about something and I don’t want teacher and I got together and made the other kids to know, she takes me a plan to give Maya the praise and outside so I can tell her in privacy. encouragement she wasn’t getting And she takes care of it.” at home. In both classes, every little

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success of hers was noticed with compliments. As she got confidence, IMPORTANT CHANGE: her schoolwork started to improve. When she started to speak up in PLEASE READ class, we knew she’d make it! Now she’s helping a little brother New School learn how to read.” Supplies: But there are other Ethiopian parents full of passion about their The Children children’s education. We hear from Still Need Them, some NACOEJ-sponsored high school students that, “My mother works two But… jobs every day to support us, so I try Unfortunately, NACOEJ can’t to help around the house at night. store donated school supplies But she tells me, ‘No, don’t help – do at our New York office anymore. your homework so you’ll never have to And we cannot ship them to scrub floors like me.’“ Israel now because the high In one family, the only son, cost makes it impractical. Birhan, was poor at language and But the Ethiopian children in math. His father was upset about his lack of progress, but even more our Limudiah programs still upset because he couldn’t help his need school supplies. son with schoolwork. “I could have The stories of our Limudiah teachers’ Fortunately, you can still taught him weaving,” he said. sensitivity, generosity of spirit, and contribute school supplies. “But not this.” creativity in teaching and nurturing, Here’s what to do: Birhan’s Limudiah teacher noticed could fill a book. • Contact Danielle Ben-Jehuda that the margins of Birhan’s not-so- But what it all comes down to is (212-233-5200, ext. 227 or good workbook pages were filled looking at the children, parents, and [email protected]) for our with drawings showing real talent. other teachers with open eyes and latest list of needed supplies and She appointed him “My Official hearts, seeing them for who and what please stick to it. Please don’t Helper for Creative Activities”, and they are, and doing our best to bring include not-needed items. he blossomed! Before the end of the out the best. This is as much a part school year, Birhan was showing his of Limudiah’s success as flashcards • Be sure all the supplies are new rapt classmates how to make little and story books and little prizes…as and in their original wrappings. figures out of clay, and the children much as the fun and games and good • Take the supplies with you voted him “King of Art”! hot lunches in the Limudiah’s ten hours when you go to Jerusalem, Not surprisingly, his grades began a week of making miracles. or send them with others. to improve, and Birhan’s father, We can’t make every child’s life They must be brought only who, at the advice of the Limudiah perfect, but thanks to your support, to Jerusalem. teacher, applauded his son’s artistic we can provide both the emotional • Before the supplies are due and academic progress, felt security and academic success to arrive in Israel, please empowered. He told our teacher, that open the golden doors to their notify NACOEJ New York “You have made me as happy as if future. That is why Limudiah is such a (212-233-5200 or n this was Birhan’s wedding day!” success. [email protected]) There’s much more, of course. Like or NACOEJ Israel the use our teachers make of a simple (011-972-2-624-5104 or technique often called “Come sit next [email protected]) to me”, which can do wonders with a as to when and where the disruptive or frightened child. supplies will be in Jerusalem. We can pick them up at any Or placing a child with outstanding address in Jerusalem but not social skills but poor academic skills elsewhere in Israel. next to a classmate with the opposite talents, and encouraging them to work together as “buddies”, which can help THANKS SO MUCH! both children as they help each other.

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Rabbi Dan Levin presents the Torah

behind community (many of whom are appealing to have their cases for aliyah Torah dedication procession in Katamon, Jerusalem reconsidered) could celebrate the High Holidays with them. Torahs from America Go to Hundreds of ecstatic men, women, and children turned out to escort the Ethiopian Jews in Israel and Africa Torahs to the old NACOEJ compound (temporarily rented for the holidays by ast June, Rabbi Dan Levin and our parade and celebration to glean another organization), and thousands congregants of Temple Beth El in L the ruach of our simcha. I have no prayed there for reunification this year Boca Raton climaxed their visit to Israel words for how much it meant to with family already in Israel. by presenting a fully restored, beautifully me to realize not just the effect that According to one person who has mantled, Torah to an Ethiopian syna- our actions had on this particular participated in several Torah donations: gogue in Katamon, Jerusalem that holds congregation, but on the community “If you want to experience true joy, take services in an empty bomb shelter. at large. a Torah to Ethiopian Jews!” Tracey Grossman, whose family played “At the end of our parade, in front of To discuss a Torah donation, please a major role in enabling the Temple the entrance to their bomb shelter/ contact NACOEJ Board member Sandy Beth El Torah donation, writes of the shul, a man was selling cotton candy. Goldhaber at [email protected]. procession through streets closed by the It was the perfect metaphor for our police for the event: evening: incredibly sweet.” “As we paraded the Sefer Torah from their community center to their Two months later, the leaders shul, two groups who had little in of the left-behind community in common – including language – Gondar, Ethiopia begged NACOEJ not were joined as one. Our men, and to leave them without a Torah with Rosh even our teenage boys, danced as Hashanah approaching. excitedly under the mobile chupah When the Jewish Agency left Gondar, as our new friends and brethren. their staff was to bring the NACOEJ “To increase the joy, many, many Torahs to our office in Israel. But when people came to their windows and we got the request to leave the Torahs in Torah being carried into former NACOEJ out to their stoops or even joined in Gondar, we happily agreed, so the left- synagogue in Gondar, Ethiopia

UPDATE ON OUR TIGIST NORTH AMERICAN CONFERENCE igist Bitau, our teenage Olympic-hopeful star runner, is still in physical therapy ON ETHIOPIAN JEWRY Tafter having had her leg cruelly smashed by a youth on a dune buggy. BOARD CHAIRPERSON: Faye Lieman The good news is that, thanks to generous NACOEJ donors, we were able to hire PRESIDENT: Rabbi Jerome M. Epstein good tutors to help her pass the high school courses she missed during her on-going VICE PRESIDENTS: Deborah Goldstein, Barak Raviv recovery. As a result, Tigist is now in 11th grade. TREASURER: Mitchell Kaplan The final outcome of her recovery is still unknown – and the bad news is that her SECRETARY: Harlan Jacobs long-delayed court hearing has been postponed yet again. Her family is still struggling EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Barbara Ribakove Gordon to survive and provide Tigist with therapy and other special needs. They are most grateful for NACOEJ’s help. n

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