Source: eJewish Phlanthropy
Yael Rosen discusses the manifestations of racist incidents against Ethiopian Jews reported recently in the Israeli media. She describes a proactive approach to overcome racist feelings through educating the populace about the Ethiopian Jews, their heritage and achievements. This is what Project Abrah attempts to achieve.
“Project Abrah”, ATZUM’s innovative oral history film project for high school students, seeks to bridge the generation gap in Israel’s Ethiopian community; shed light on the heroic struggle of many Ethiopian Prisoners of Zion (Jews who were imprisoned and even tortured prior to making aliyah due to their Zionist or Jewish activities) to reach Israel; and empower students, while helping them discover their rich Ethiopian heritage.
Project Abrah (“illuminate” in Amharic) pairs groups of Ethiopian 11th and 12th grade students and their classmates with Ethiopian Prisoners of Zion, introducing the students to this compelling element of their cultural legacy, helping them develop an emotional and lasting connection with the subject matter, and involving them in the process of creating a permanent record of their subject’s heroism. At the same time, the Prisoners of Zion are presented with a rare opportunity to share their stories with the younger generation and receive the recognition and respect they richly deserve from their communities and Israel society at large.
Further, ATZUM provides a framework that helps the students develop basic grassroots community organization skills and encourages the students to become agents of change in their communities.
Read Yael Rosen's article at eJewish Philanthropy.
Learn more about Project Abrah at ATZUM's website.