Olim Beyahad

Olim Beyahad was established in 2007 with the goal of transforming Israeli society’s misperceptions and negative attitudes toward the Ethiopian Israeli community. Excelling Ethiopian Israeli university graduates are integrated into the forefront of Israel’s workforce through the facilitation of suitable employment inclusion. The notion that certain people are inherently unequal and socially undesirable because they happen to have different physical traits and origin is unacceptable in an egalitarian society. That should be the case in Israel, too, where equal opportunity and social mobilization are part of the Zionist promise. And indeed, finding a fitting and relevant job is an achievable goal for most Jews in Israel – unless you happen to be black and belong to the Ethiopian community. Despite the fact that a multitude of ethnic origins, traditions, and cultures have successfully come together to create the vibrant start-up nation, the story of Israeli Ethiopians is one of exclusion – in many instances into the second and third generation. Israeli Ethiopians face disproportionately low income per capita, high underemployment, and an unshakable salary gap. Alarmingly, a recent study found that negative stereotypes and prejudices cause 53 percent of potential employers to avoid hiring Ethiopian Israelis altogether. It is therefore clear to all that unless Israeli Ethiopians have equal access to suitable employment, the kind that offers them a chance to thrive, the community will never complete its integration into Israeli society – and Israeli society will forever struggle with inclusiveness, diversity, equality and, ultimately, democracy. Our Solution: Countering Prejudice by Breaking the Mold Olim Beyahad is creating an elite echelon of educated and highly professional Israeli Ethiopians who are able – and want – to lead in their respective fields, acting as change-makers and role models not only for their community but for everyone else. We do this by preparing them for success at the highest levels of the modern workplace, by ensuring they are recruited by Israel’s leading companies in positions that are commensurate with their education, abilities and aspirations, and by providing each one with individual assistance and guidance throughout. In parallel, we harness to the cause a carefully selected group of dedicated mentors, some of Israel’s foremost companies and opinion leaders. In parallel, we are successfully shifting deep-seated Israeli prejudices and preconceptions against Israeli Ethiopians by increasing – qualitatively and quantitatively – their presence and depiction in Israeli media – electronic, broadcast and print. Our Method: A Long-term, Multi-Pronged Offensive  Education and Career Preparation Individually and in groups, we provide high-schoolers and university students from the Israeli Ethiopian community with long-term mentoring, academic support, after-school enrichment programs, financial assistance and the opportunity to gain experience in and a better understanding of a wide range of academic fields and career opportunities.  Employment and Career Development By involving a growing number of Israel’s most senior directors, we see to it that university graduates from the Israeli Ethiopian community find employment in top companies, government offices and foremost nonprofits - always in positions that are commensurate with their education, abilities and aspirations. To that we add ongoing mentoring, leadership training and career development that ensure they continue to rise through the ranks.  The Network We are creating a nationwide peer group of professionals from the Israeli Ethiopian community who assist and support each other and develop their careers through carefully curated programs and mentorship schemes. Additionally, members of the network are invited to take an active role in defining how we continue to advance the Olim Beyahad mission.  Media and Communications We are noticeably increasing the media presence of articulate and talented Israeli Ethiopians by training them to use the digital, print and broadcast spheres effectively. We also use our considerable connections to create eye-opening content, to educate and inform senior Israeli journalists, and to ensure that members of the community are recruited by all media outlets. Collectively, all these come together to generate considerable social mobility and substantial economic improvement for every young Israeli Ethiopian who comes through our door. Realizing our mission means changing the very fabric of Israeli society. The road ahead is long and complex, but we mean to continue until we reach our goal. To that end we seek like-minded partners and supporters who understand the importance of inclusivity, diversity and tolerance to a strong and democratic Israel. Join us to make this vision a contemporary reality.