Multicultural Jewish Identity - For Gar'in Independence

Each Gar'in has a "Multicultural Community Beit-Midrash" (Learning Group) that enables discussion of topics related to Ethiopian-Jewish traditions, modern and traditional Jewish customs, and how to shape communities based on these topics. For example, a discussion might draw parallels between the eight levels of Tzedakah (charity) outlined by Maimonides, Gar'in activities, and the potential influence that a community can have. Another discussion may connect Jewish-Ethiopian handiwork (such as pottery and cotton-making) and Chanukah, which wasn't celebrated in Ethiopia.

The fact that each Multicultural Beit-Midrash includes Ethiopian-Israelis and native Israelis - both religious and secular - has become possible due to each Gar'in member's common goal of community involvement and high standard programming as a way to change the Ethiopian-Israeli community in Israel.

Participants: The Learning Groups are open to Gar'in members, working staff, and volunteer staff (teachers, counselors, program coordinators, etc.). These groups are used as training for successful work with the community. Naturally, some of the volunteers and workers are Gar'in members themselves; as mentioned, participants include native Israelis and Ethiopian-Israelis, both religious and secular.

Experienced instructors, usually Gar'in members themselves, guide the Beit-Midrash. Some of them work in this field in different frameworks, such as the Hartman Institute.

Training: Each Gar'in conducts Multicultural Training seminars to educators and community workers in its city, who work with the Ethiopian Israeli community. The seminars focus on the community's strengths, and include content such as the history of Ethiopian Jewry, the Ethiopian-Jewish calendar, and so on. The training provides practical tools and so deals with issues such as identity, how to plan culturally sensitive lessons and activities, and more, according to the local needs.

Each community Gar'in has its own multicultural instructor who is responsible both for training the Gar'in's staff and other educational staffs in the community.

Beit-Midrash Goals
1. To unite the Gar'in members as a group with a common language and open communication;
2. To strengthen the Israeli-Jewish identity of both Ethiopian- and veteran-Israelis while introducing the Jewish-Ethiopian narrative into mainstream Israeli society and improving the community's status;
3. To develop adult volunteerism and responsibility in the community;
4. To create a sustainable change in the social services offered in these neighborhoods;
5. To reduce the polarization within the Ethiopian-Israeli community itself, and in Israeli society in general.