I have already begun to see some advantages to working for a smaller non-profit. Room to explore. Room to create. And room to suggest. While the Ethiopian National project does appear small if measured by the width and length of their office space, their reach goes far beyond their hallway and far beyond the Jewish Agency building where they reside.
The Ethiopian National Project as mentioned in my previous post, works to provide educational and social opportunities to Ethiopian Israeli-teenagers. For many individuals, the idea of Israel being a place with a large population of Ethiopians is new. After missions such as Operation Moses, Operation Joshua and Operation Solomon, thousands upon thousands of Ethiopian Jews were transported to Israel in a matter of days. Specifically Operation Solomon brought over 14,000 Ethiopian Jews in a matter of 36 hours using a large aircraft carrier. Many of these individuals and families, walked miles upon miles through Ethiopia and through Sudan in order to escape anti-semetism and the harsh conditions that they faced daily in their own villages.
Today, over 116,000 Ethiopian Jews live in the State of Israel, with over 70% of them being under the age of 17. Integration into a modern society such as Israel was not easy and today many families face the challenge of raising their children in a country that they themselves never grew up in. For years, Ethiopian children were sent to boarding schools and were put in lower tracks at school that would eventually create barriers for them to go to college after leaving the army. They face similar challenges that many people growing up in low-income communities are currently struggling with today.
The Ethiopian National Project a partnered agency, began their project with the hopes of reaching the whole Ethiopian community. The vision while different and noteworthy, did not have sufficient funding. In turn, they worked with leaders of the Ethiopian communities throughout the country to determine the need was the greatest for teenagers between the ages of 13 to 18. Their main initiatives entail their Youth Centers in 26 locations throughout Israel and their scholastic assistance program. Helping students achieve and to succeed later in life.
While there is more to it, for now this can give you an idea of where I am working. I suggest reading more on the Ethiopian Jewish community and you can visit the Ethiopian National Projects website by clicking here - The Ethiopian National Project.
Mainly my work at the agency will entail marketing and fundraising and working with "mission" groups that come to see how their money is being utilized, or they are interested in learning about what ENP does. I quote mission because many people might not know exactly what that entirely means. Often these groups do come with a mission, to see, to learn, to volunteer and interact.
One theme that I did not leave behind in the United States, was the need for funds. Money is critical in order to keep the doors open and provide programs and services to those in need. For the Ethiopian National Project, when funds are slow or money lacks, it could mean hundreds of teens that will not be able to utilize their services. In only two days, I am able to see the critical role fundraising and marketing plays in carrying out the agency's mission and vision to help the Ethiopian community.
What makes this agency different from previous agency's I have worked with, is that they are not a 501 c3 in the United States and do not officially have tax-credit status in Israel. The approach to fundraising appears to be different but can still be effective. Truly though fundraising differs here, because it appears that Israel is lagging behind in philanthropy. While 1/3rd of the support does come from within the country, the majority of the work is done networking and fundraising abroad.
One of the main projects I'm working on is called Solomon's Mosaic, a microsite and an online fundraising initiative. It is different, it is original and I think that the potential is great. The question here is, "Whats the purpose of this initiative?" On May 24th began the 20th Anniversary of Operation Solomon that miraculously transferred over 14,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel in 36 hours. Solomon's Mosaic is a initiative to raise $360,000 for the agency which will critically help the Ethiopian teenagers the agency serves and expand its programs to more teens. It is a creative fundraising technique, where one tile can be purchased for $36 and that tile will show a picture that represents the individual or an organization. In the end the mosaic will represent a community of support and will be seen at several conferences in the future. It is not just an opportunity to fundraise but to educate youth, teens and adults on the Ethiopian Jewry and their story.
For me, the challenge comes in thinking of ways to strategically market this and solicit it to organizations, groups and schools in the United States. It is day two and I already have almost finished one marketing piece that will be given out to visiting groups and to people in the U.S during an upcoming trip that the Director General (as they call the boss here) and the Director of International Relations will promote ENP.
I see key aspects of this internship that already have allowed me to think critically and be challenged. There is room for creativity, there is room to envision new ideas and there is room to suggest ideas that may not work. While I have yet to really see the work that they do, beginning this Sunday I will start traveling throughout the country to work with visiting groups.
I encourage you to check out Solomon's Mosaic and learn more about Operation Solomon. www.solomonsmosaic.org
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