Ethiopian-Israelis Building Confidence Through Work

Amos' dreams of a better life gradually evaporated after he arrived in Israel as a newlywed during Operation Solomon in 1991. Unable to find himself in his new homeland, he bounced from low-paying job to low-paying job until – his confidence spent – he gave up. His home life offered scant comfort. Driven apart by poverty and despair, he and his wife divorced, leaving Avraham to care for their young son alone.

Feeling washed up at 30, he was skeptical when his welfare officer suggested he was a perfect candidate for JDC's new year-long RESHET employment program in Ashdod. But he didn't resist.

His lack of confidence was a problem from the start. "Exams terrified him," project coordinator Avi recalls. "Every time there was a test, he'd literally be sick. He'd failed enough in life."

Avi and the RESHET staff persevered. They gave him extra help, practiced with him, coached and coaxed him until he made it through. His grades weren't great. But making it through at all gave him confidence again – the confidence to interview for work, and the confidence to get hired.

Now, six months and one promotion later, Amos' life is well on track. "The staff at RESHET just wouldn't give up on me," he says. "I owe them my job. Thanks to them, I am happy."