Volume 8, Issue 4 / Adar II 5765 / April 2005
From Empowerment to Employment
Turo, a mother of four in her mid-30s who has been in Israel for over twenty years said, "We want to progress in life but we all need help and support. This project gives us just what we need." This message was confirmed by Osnat, a mother of two, who added, "To be honest, life has been hard for me during the 11 years that I have been in Israel. I have struggled with Hebrew and my absorption has not been easy, but this project gives me the tools I need and the other women are very supportive."
Turo and Osnat join 17 other single-mothers who have emigrated from Ethiopia for a women's empowerment group that meets in the Ashkelon Absorption Center called Beit Canada (The Canada House). The program was made possible through a generous contribution from the Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore in cooperation with the Absorption Ministry and the Jewish Agency that originated the idea and provides the setting and staff.
"The group meets for five hours a day five days a week," explains Dr. Dalia Fisman, the program's director. "Two days a week they participate in a variety of workshops that not only provides parenting suggestions but also assistance with the adjustments that it takes to integrate into Israeli society. However, the program's primary focus is on getting these women into the job market and preparing them for the future."
Yafit, herself an immigrant from Ethiopia in 1984 and a graduate of the David Yellin Teachers' College and a trained facilitator in group dynamics, is the group's coordinator. She emphasizes the need for improvement in Hebrew and learning basic computer skills. "Although all of the women are from Ethiopia, no two women are alike. Their ages, lifestyles, family history and amount of time they have been in Israel differs from person to person. Almost all need additional training in Hebrew - especially in reading and writing skills. This is where computer training is so valuable. And we all know that without these skills, they will not be able to get jobs."
Indeed, this is true for most of the women and the reason why Hebrew lessons with a focus on "employment vocabulary" are provided three days a week. Mira, who made aliyah at the age of 12 in the first wave of immigration from Ethiopia in 1984, however, is perhaps an exception to this rule. "I finished my high school studies and then served in sherut leumi (national service). Now, at age 32, I want to enter the preparation year program at the Ashkelon Academic College and then get my degree in education."
The women selected to participate in the course were chosen because of their ability to function and live independently despite personal issues that complicate their lives. All but three of the women live in apartments. "I want my children to be proud of me and I will do all that it takes to succeed," is a recurring theme amongst women in similar Jewish Agency groups that include a similar dynamic program that operates in Ashdod for women who emigrated from the Former Soviet Union.
Agrit, whose name means "countries", has ambitious goals like Mira. "I trained to be a caretaker for children and seniors but this wasn't for me. Now, I want to train to be a beautician/cosmetician. I have been in the country for 14 years and need to find a profession."
Dr. Fisman concludes, "We are not naive enough to think that 10 weeks of training in a group setting such as this will give these 19 women all of the skills necessary to build homes and professions, but we, at least, are providing the tools."
This is certainly true as most of the women are, indeed, enthused to be part of the follow-up workshops that the Jewish Agency is planning once this course concludes. "Now, we are motivated," concludes Turo. "We want to get 'out there' but I also want to learn all that I can so that I can succeed."
Written by: Arnie Bendor
Photos by: Leon LevitasTo download this file as a word document, click here.
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