Volume 7, Issue 9 / Elul 5764 / September 2004

Striving for Excellence

"I always felt that I had to prove that I was not unusual," says Almaz, "and perhaps that helped me to strive for excellence in other ways."

When Almaz Zaro entered first grade at the public school in Lod, as the only Ethiopian youngster in the class, the teacher explained to the child's classmates that "they should not be afraid although I looked different."

"I always felt that I had to prove that I was not unusual," adds the striking, green-eyed young woman, now 24, "and perhaps that helped me to strive for excellence in other ways."

Born to committed Zionist parents, Almaz spent her first precarious year in jail in poor health where her mother was incarcerated as a "prisoner of Zion". Her father was in jail four different times before he was allowed to make aliyah in 1982. Together with her mother and younger brother, Almaz joined him in Israel in 1985.

Upon arrival in Israel they lived in the Jewish Agency's absorption center in Kfar Saba before moving to an apartment in Lod to be near her grandparents. Being advanced for her age, she was tested and allowed to begin first grade at age five. After completing the local religious elementary school, she attended the Amit girls' high school in Lod-Ramle, where she stood out as an exemplary student. Upon completion of her military service, Almaz began studying law at the Academic College in Kiyat Ono in a special program sponsored by the Jewish Agency, and received outstanding grades.

Notwithstanding the demands of law studies, Almaz finds the time to works as a counselor in a special program at the Weizmann Institute initiated by the Jewish Agency with the support of the New York Federation, to cultivate scientific and technological skills among youngsters of Ethiopian origin. "It gives me great satisfaction to be able to help these children," notes Almaz. The program, which targets motivated youngsters with potential, seeks to bridge cultural and educational gaps that often separate youngsters of Ethiopian from their Israeli-born peers. It meets twice a week as well as during the summer.

A wonderful role model for her community, Almaz is now entering her third and final year of law school, she looks forward to working in her profession after completing her internship. "I am committed to continue in my education for the benefit of myself, my community and for the State of Israel," she says.

Written by: Tova Naiman
Photos by: Shlomy Ben Ami

To download this file as a word document, click here.