"Maslul" and Youth Centers

The Gar'inim Youth Centers are open up to five times a week and employ male and female Ethiopian-Israeli youth workers, usually neighborhood residents. These people become role models for the youth with whom they work. The Gedera Gar'in's success prompted a nearby high school to hire Gar'in workers in the morning; through this work, we create an important educational continuity. Today, about 150 youth in 5th-12th grades participate in the Youth Center's various activities; their parents join for specific events. Other Gar'inim have 30-120 youth participants in their Youth Centers.

The Youth Centers include a number of programs that develop over time, with an emphasis on:

Ethiopian-Israeli-Jewish identity as an empowerment and leadership tool: The program is based on the Jewish calendar and holidays; it includes trips throughout Israel and "Youth Movement" activities, with an emphasis on Jewish-Ethiopian components. For example, a tour through a city neighborhood may spark the question of how Succot was celebrated in Ethiopia, causing youth to turn to their parents for answers; a special evening celebrating the Ethiopian Sigd holiday connects participants to their Ethiopian-Jewish identity; Chanukah parent-child activities can include a Jewish-Ethiopian facet by making ceramic candles and cotton wicks, which are traditional Ethiopian handiworks; certain archeological ruins in the Golan can be compared to the structure of Ethiopian-Jewish villages; discussions can compare Jewish heroes in Israel and Ethiopia; and more.

"Maslul" - Leadership and Volunteerism: This program encourages young leadership, beginning with community volunteerism in areas that youth can experience success and fulfillment. Volunteering and taking responsibility at a young age encourage youth to adopt a positive outlook towards pre-army programs and enlistment. In addition to identity and tradition, the educational topics include Israeli Society and other areas of interest chosen by the group. In grades 11-12, participants are introduced to quality volunteer programs, such as pre-military Service Year ("shnat sheirut"), Nachal, pre-army preparation, and voluntary National or military service. The purpose is to making thought-out, responsible decisions for their futures, based on sound information. 

After high school: Their connection to the Community Gar'inim enables youth to remain in touch as they go on different paths. Graduates of the program are often invited to join the Gar'in. The strong feeling of belonging is conducive to success and personal development.

Strengthening the Family Unit by offering leadership opportunity to parents: Parents take part in leading joint parents-children activities on holidays; in other activities, children ask their parents questions connected to Ethiopian-Jewish tradition; parents and children go on trips together, which involve parents telling Ethiopian folktales. These activities improve relations at home and enable members to fulfill personal potential.

Connection to Israel: Ethiopian immigration to Israel was a result of Zionistic zeal, but many Ethiopian-Israelis have not seen much of their longed-for country. The Youth Centers conduct trips throughout Israel that teach participants how to face challenges in life, take responsibility, and give aid. The staff draws parallels between Israeli and Ethiopian history, geography, and cultures, and creates a medium to identify both with the Ethiopian tradition at home, and with the modern Israel (a discussion on Jewish heroism in Israel and in Ethiopia, while travelling to Bar-Kochba sites; preparing an Ethiopian Matza on a Pesach hike; etc.).

The Counselors in the Youth Centers are chosen by each individual Gar'in and work with one or two age levels: 15-20 participants on a regular group basis; he/she integrates additional 10-15 participants into different programs and follows up on them; and evaluates another 10 participants every three months, introducing them to various programs. There are altogether 40-50 participants per half-time counselor.

Their job includes: (1) reaching out in the neighborhood and keeping track of the youth in their designated age level; (2) guiding a group in the fields detailed above, including hikes; (3) home visits; (4) integrating the participants into different programs, with an emphasis on the "Homework - At Home!" program (detailed below); (5) work in the school in the mornings, when possible; (6) individual accompaniment of certain participants.