JDC Ensures Bright Future for Immigrant Children Going Back to School

Last year at this time, Barak, an Ethiopian-Israeli, was unsure of his future. Now entering the 12th grade and having received very high grades on his 11th grade matriculation exams, he speaks openly – and confidently – of his goals: "I want to serve in the army as a medic, and then go to medical school."

As Barak joined hundreds of thousands of Israeli children as they return to school, JDC is working to ensure that the most vulnerable among them have the tools and opportunities to make the most of their education. JDC largely is carrying out this work through partnerships with the Israeli government and with American Jewish communities.

Barak's achievements, as well as those of many of his peers, came about largely thanks to JDC's Ofek Bagrut program. Ofek, meaning "Horizon" in Hebrew, was developed by JDC in partnership with the Israel Association of Community Centers to create an environment for immigrant youth that encourages learning and enhances their likelihood of achieving a matriculation certificate. The program is targeted at students in grades 10 through 12, and is offered in schools that have immigrant concentrations of more than 40 percent of the student body.

Dr. Gad Abecassis, Senior Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Education, praised JDC's work in the realm of education through programs like Ofek: "JDC is helping to lead the way with Israel's weakest populations," stated Abecassis. "Over the last few years, thanks to the partnership with JDC, Ashalim, and JDC-Brookdale, tremendous headway has been made in helping vulnerable Israeli schoolchildren," said Abecassis.

Dr. Sulimani, Director of JDC-Israel's Youth and Education Division and Deputy Director General of Ashalim, noted that JDC will continue to target immigrant children like Barak through both new and proven programs: "Our aim is 'B to B', a phrase coined by UJA-Federation of New York – birth to Bagrut – working with students in pre-school to high-school, parents and entire communities," Sulimani explained. "The achievements of immigrant children in these programs are exceptional," says Sulimani.

Recent findings have confirmed this statement: A newly-published survey of Ethiopian-Israeli participants in the Ofek Bagrut program revealed that 70 percent of the program participants are now eligible for a full matriculation certificate, the key to entry into the workforce and higher education. This 70 percent figure is in comparison to a mere 30 percent prior to intervention, and only 46.6 percent of Israeli children nation-wide. Barak and his schoolmates are included in this impressive statistic.

Children participating in the JDC-initiated PACT (Parents and Children Together) program have similar successes. PACT provides comprehensive city-wide educational initiatives, projects and services for Ethiopian-Israeli preschoolers, focusing not only on the child, but also on the family and the professionals who shape their early years.

"A Beersheva elementary school principal informed me that, for the first time in his recollection, Ethiopian-Israeli first graders are excelling in reading," relates Sulimani. "PACT has prepared these, and thousands other, children for first grade." PACT Plus is now expanding this work to elementary school students.

Abecassis commended JDC's initiative with very young schoolchildren: "PACT is an exceptional joint effort," said Abecassis. "The Ministry of Education views this work with young children as a critical opportunity to prevent future problems and negative trends in older school children."

Abecassis and Sulimani also credited the role of the American Jewish community in supporting Israel's schoolchildren, especially during this time of crisis through the UJC/Federation Israel Emergency Campaign. "Thanks to the contribution of American communities, Israeli schoolchildren just concluded a second year of outstanding activities through 'Summer Experience,' said Abecassis. He added: "JDC and Ashalim's trauma programs and after school activities are easing the harsh impact of the security and economic crisis on Israeli school children."

So while Barak is studying hard to make sure he fulfills his dreams, many more Israeli children will continue to reap the benefits of JDC's partnership with American Jewish Federations and the Government of Israel, ensuring a better future for them and their families.