"From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia I will bring My worshippers, the daughter of My dispersed ones and they shall bring My offering." - Zeph. 3:10

Facts

About the Community In Israel

Although there are success stories of assimilation into Israeli society, most of the 120,000 Ethiopian Jews are still living below the poverty line. There is high unemployment andthose who do work are often unskilled workers, such as security guards, receiving low wages.

Children often do not have educational resources at home, resulting in many youth dropping out of school and the highest suicide rate among Israeli youth.

70% of Ethiopian families have no incoming salary.
63% of employed Ethiopians work in non-professional fields.
The average Ethiopian salary is below the poverty line.
Only 32% of Ethiopian fathers and 10% of Ethiopian mothers are employed.
40% of Ethiopian students in grades 1-9 are below the class level for reading.
60% of Ethiopian students in grades 1-6 are below the class level in Hebrew and Mathematics.
6.2% of Ethiopian students drop out of school between the ages of 14-17. This is double the national average.
Only 28% of Ethiopian students pass the matriculation exams - less than half the national average.
46% of Ethiopian students are sent to boarding schools due to financial hardship.
45% of Ethiopian children lack the basic school supplies essential to learning (books, pencils etc).
45% of Ethiopian parents can not speak even basic Hebrew.
49% of Ethiopian families live with two or more people in each room.

Due to multiple hardships, the number of juvenile delinquents is double among the Ethiopian population.
The number of Ethiopian youth arrested is the highest among youth in general in Israeli society.

(Source: IAEJ and NACOEJ)

However, there are increasing numbers of success stories as Ethiopian-Israelis graduate from university and college, serve in respected positions in the Israeli Defense Force and take their places in professional fields. These people serve as examples to the rest of the community that it is possible to succeed with hard work and the right assistance. You can help them achieve this by participating in Project Sheba projects.