JDC Proudly Celebrates a Bar Mitzvah for Operation Solomon

24 May 2004, Jerusalem:
"We at JDC can look Ethiopian immigrants in the eyes today and say we played a part not just in your aliya, but in your integration into Israeli society," said Arnon, Director General of JDC-Israel, as hundreds of Ethiopian-Israeli liaisons, social workers, educators and others involved in JDC programs throughout the country convened at JDC's Jerusalem headquarters for a festive gathering held on the 13th anniversary of Operation Solomon.

The gathering celebrated the achievements of the Ethiopian-Israeli professionals and JDC's efforts to help the Ethiopian community, 13 years to the day after the spectacular airlift which brought 14,260 Ethiopian Jews to Israel in a 36 hour period. Trained storytellers told tales, a movement therapist led a drumming workshop designed for immigrant children, and young Ethiopian students challenged spectators with math riddles to illustrate the exercises they practice in the Excellence program for gifted junior high school immigrants. In all, tens of JDC programs in the realms of employment, education, cultural preservation, health and leadership were on display at the JDC headquarters in Jerusalem.

"The Jewish world is a partner – with you and through you," Arnon said, addressing the crowd of primarily young professionals, many of whom were on that very airlift. He added that through JDC, American Jewry has provided millions of dollars towards this effort.

"I had number 32 on my forehead," said Dina, one of more than 500 professionals who utilized the gathering to examine the work being carried out and to address the most pertinent issues facing them.

But most significantly for six youngsters in the crowd, the celebration also was a family event. JDC used the symbolic opportunity to mark the coming of age of children born on the planes during the Operation in a Bar Mitzvah ceremony attended by the Minster of Absorption, Tzippi Livni and the Ethiopian Ambassador in Israel.

Elad, one of those born on-flight, was accompanied by his parents, siblings, and even his Israeli godfather, Yossi. "Being at the brit was my way of helping," said Yossi, who came bearing a Bar Mitzvah check. Elad's mother recalled the excitement, fear, and confusion of the birth: "At first, I saw the plane and thought, how will I give birth? When I saw the doctors dressed in white I was also scared. But they took care of me, and I knew I was in good hands."

Today, thanks to JDC, Elad, his mother, their families, and thousands of others from the 85,000-strong community are still in good hands. JDC now operates some 60 programs for the Ethiopian-Israeli population, including the Federation-supported PACT (Parents and Children Together) program, which serves some 7,500 Ethiopian-Israeli children aged birth to six, encompassing some 60% of that population age bracket in Israel.

Many of the young professionals attributed their ability to assist their community to JDC.

"Seven years go, I became involved in Aleh," said Shimon, referring to a nationwide JDC program for Ethiopian-Israelis which provides leadership training and encourages local initiatives that benefit the Ethiopian population in Israel. "After Aleh, I decided I wanted to help my community." Now he does as a Family Coordinator in JDC's Atzmaut program.

Shimon also followed in his father's footsteps and become a Kess, a traditional spiritual leader. In that capacity, Shimon presided over the children's Bar Mitzvah ceremony. In Amharit, he blessed the children, who were presented with tallitot and Hebrew dictionaries.

As Kess Shimon launched the children on their path to adulthood, the professionals who attended felt newly motivated to continue their work. "This day has given me the energy to continue," concluded Kess Shimon, echoing the sentiments of many present at the festivities.