Detroit's Ethiopian Connection

Through the PACT program, Detroit works
to strengthen and enrich the Ethiopian-Israeli
community in Netanya.

-" ■ 11441t,__

n September 2001, the Jewish Federation
of Metropolitan Detroit entered into a
partnership with the American Jewish
Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and the
city of Netanya in Israel to improve the
educational opportunities and strengthen
the social structure of the local Ethiopian-
Israeli community.
Today PACT, Parents and
Children Together, is a strategic,
citywide early childhood interven-
tion program for Ethiopian-Israeli
preschoolers in Netanya from birth to age 6.
Offering a multi-faceted educational and social
framework on which to build bridges for a new
generation of Israelis, PACT provides the
foundation and the necessary tools to enable
Ethiopian-Israeli children to succeed in school.
The program is holistic and comprehensive,
serving entire families within a network that
actively involves parents and fosters pride in the
• ,-,
;a • a
Ethiopian-Israeli community and its rich culture.
Federation's commitment to the people of
Netanya has helped open kindergarten classrooms,
after-school enrichment programs, parent support groups
literacy classes, professional training for early childhood
educators, parenting and health care classes and a wide
range of social and cultural activities for Ethiopian
families, including leadership development and local
community activism.
Beyond the funding relationship, PACT and the other
programs directly involve professional and lay members
of the Detroit community in an ongoing and intensive
manner through professional exchanges, mission visits
and involvement with community leaders in Netanya.
PACT in Netanya is part of a 10-city Israeli initiative,
developed by the JDC in partnership with seven major
Jewish federations. It currently serves more than 7,700
Ethiopian youngsters and their families.

I

HOW: 10 4.1N..-5

Riots &oht tkio ► 14K ews

For more than a thousand years, Jews have lived in the high mountains
of Ethiopia.

Some attribute their origin to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba.

These African Jews are called Falashas (strangers) by other Ethiopians,
but they call themselves Beta Israel ("Those of the House of Israel").

* Well into the 20th century, the Beta Israel were so isolated they believed
themselves to be the only Jews in the world.

• Civil war and famine in Ethiopia in the 1980s caused life for the Beta Israel
communities to become increasingly dangerous.

• Publicity about their plight captured the hearts of world Jewry, who feared
destruction of their long lost ancient family.

In 1985, a secret rescue mission called Operation Moses airlifted 8,000
Ethiopian Jews to Israel.

Skn.-Tluirs,

Reservoions recommended
#4 per person 'OS per fostily

1.877SHALOM 3

In April 1991, on the Jewish Sabbath, another airlift called Operation
Solomon dramatically rescued an additional 14,500 Ethiopian Jews
in less than 24 hours.

• Since the rescue of Beta Israel, Jewish agencies in Israel with the support
of world Jewry have been working to house, educate and integrate
Ethiopians into Israeli society.

CENTER

With the generous support of the
Charles H. Gershenson Trust, Maurice Binkow, Trustee

Jewish Community Cent
of Metropolitan Detro

A Communications Partner

Editor: Ken Guten Cohen Designers: Michelle Reska, Zach Hoag, Karen Benner, Vivian Henoch