Volume 7, Issue 10 / Tishrei 5765 / October 2004

"I Longed to Come to Israel Because of my Religion"

"Everything was arranged for us at the absorption center."

"As soon as we arrived at the Mevasseret Zion absorption center, we received an apartment and were given everything we needed," says Tessaya Zarihon. "Everything was arranged for us."

"If we have any problems, we go the office and they solve them," adds Tessaya, 38, who came to Israel two years ago from Ethiopia, together with his wife and children, now age seven and four. Mevasseret, one of 35 absorption centers managed by the Jewish Agency throughout the country, helps the new arrivals make the difficult transition - jump might be the better word - from a rural, non-technological society to a modern industrial civilization. The absorption center provides small, compact apartments with kitchenettes that include basic furnishings, where the new immigrants generally stay for 12-18 months until they find permanent housing. A ten-month ulpan (twice as long as that provided for other new immigrants) enables them to acquire basic Hebrew and to learn about normative Judaism. In addition, a broad range of lectures and workshops introduces them to every aspect of Israeli life - ranging from health care, hygiene, and diet to home care, and acquaints them with institutions such as medical clinics, schools, banks, post offices, community centers, etc. in preparation for the move to permanent residences.

Unlike most recent immigrants from Ethiopia, Tessaya, the son of an engineer, grew up in Addis Ababa. After completing high school, he continued his education at an officers college. He served as a career officer in the army for 19 years, where he eventually achieved the rank of Major. But, despite a good professional and economic security, Tessaya longed to come to Israel. "Because of my religion," he says. That, and to rejoin his extended family, most of whom had come to Israel in the early 1980s.

Upon arrival in Israel, Tessaya studied at the ulpan for five months. But, when it became apparent that his progress was quicker than most, the absorption center staff made arrangements for him continue his Hebrew studies at an ulpan in Jerusalem, which, he says, "was more suitable for city people." But his biggest challenge was in finding a new occupation. Despite his education and background, the only jobs he was referred to by the Ministry of Social Services employment service entailed cleaning or digging at archaeological sites. Then he approached Meir Russo, director of the Mevasseret absorption center. "Meir always gives us a lot of help," he says.

As usual, Meir "gave me very good advice," attests Tessaya. He referred him to a course in autotronics conducted by the Technological Training Center operated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in Beit Shemseh . Twelve students, immigrants from Ethiopia and the FSU, are taking part in the course - which includes both theoretical study and hands-on training in automobile repair. He has only praise for the course, which continues through October 2004. The staff are all very helpful, he says, and the teaching methods highly effective.

By the time the course ends Tessaya and his family will be living in the Maaleh Adumim suburb of Jerusalem, where they have purchased an apartment, rejoining family and friends from Ethiopia.

Written by: Shifra Paikin
Photos by: Shlomy Ben Ami

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