FIDEL - Association for the Integration and Success of Ethiopian-Israelis

Home
Israel
Lod
FIDEL - Association for the Integration and Success of Ethiopian-Israelis

FIDEL ("Alphabet" in Amharic), advances the full integration of the Ethiopian-Israeli community into

FIDEL impacts over 7,000 Ethiopian-Israeli children, teens & parents across Israel through the following programs:

• Community & Youth Centers offering enriching & creative activities during the afternoon & evening hours. Ethiopian-Israeli, professional youth counselors serve as positive role models, providing consistent, emotional support.

• School Mediators working with parents, teachers & ch

ildren to foster a supportive environment and overcome cultural and social barriers.

• Young Leadership groups providing teens with a much-needed platform to develop their leadership skills & lead social action projects in the community.

• Parents Groups encouraging parents to be more involved in their children's education & strengthening their ability to communicate effectively with their children.

• Literacy Project promoting a unique, holistic approach to improving literacy, educational achievement and social integration in elementary schools

14/04/2026

On the eve of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), we stand together in a unified call: Never Again.

Fidel Association bows its head in memory of the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. For us, remembrance is not just a look back at the past, but a moral imperative to build our future. We believe that "the world endures only for the sake of the breath of school children"—education is the primary tool for shaping society and ensuring that "Never Again" is a lived reality.

It is vital to remember that the shadow of Fascism did not spare the Jews of Ethiopia. During the Italian occupation of Ethiopia (1936–1941) under Mussolini’s regime, the Beta Israel community suffered under harsh decrees. Italian "Race Laws" were implemented in Ethiopia, leading to systemic persecution, confiscation of property, and severe violations of religious freedom.

History teaches us that the Fascist regime even planned to establish concentration camps for Ethiopian Jews as part of the "Final Solution" orchestrated by their ally, N**i Germany. Only the defeat of the Italian forces and the liberation of Ethiopia in 1941 prevented this horrific plan from being realized.

Our ability to remember these atrocities, alongside the incredible resilience of the human spirit, is what shapes our next generation—a generation of leadership, mutual responsibility, and compassion.

We remember. We educate. We build.

📌 Sources and further reading can be found in the comments below.

08/03/2026

This International Women’s Day, Fidel Association pauses to salute the extraordinary women who form the backbone of Israeli society. This year, the numbers tell a story of unparalleled resilience and courage:

The Front Lines: Women now make up 20% of the IDF’s combat force. With 8,500 female combat soldiers serving on the front lines, they prove every day that no goal is out of reach.

The Pillars of the Homefront: While 18% of the reserve forces are women, there are tens of thousands more "Homefront Heroes"—the wives and partners of reservists. They carry 100% of the burden at home for months on end, commanding the family’s routine, finances, and emotional strength while their hearts are on the battlefield.

The Healing Heart: 80% of social workers are women. They are the ones holding communities together across the country, providing the vital "social first response" in times of routine and crisis alike.

Yet, amid these powerful statistics, one number breaks our hearts: 742 days. This is how long it has been since Haymanut Kasau was last seen. On this Women’s Day, the struggle to bring her home is a struggle that belongs to every one of us.

To the warriors, the reservists, the women holding down the home, and those healing the soul—you are the strength of the People of Israel.

Happy International Women's Day!

12/02/2026

Wrapping up a week of meaningful impact 💛

The Ashkelon Youth Center celebrated the closing event of its "Healthy and Active Lifestyle Workshop", led by the coordinator from .
The final session included a reflection on the journey, an enriching talk for participants — and, of course, the exciting presentation of certificates 🎓

We are proud of the young people who took part, learned, grew, and chose to invest in themselves and their well-being.
Thank you to all our partners and to everyone who continues to promote knowledge, awareness, and healthy choices in the community.

Wishing everyone a peaceful and healthy weekend 🌿

02/02/2026

🌳 Tu Bishvat, the Jewish New Year of the Trees, originates in the Mishnah and has long been connected to agriculture, the land, and the natural cycles of life.

Despite a deep connection to nature and farming, Tu Bishvat was not traditionally observed as a communal holiday by the Beta Israel (Ethiopian Jewish) community. For centuries, the community lived in Ethiopia, largely disconnected from the main centers of the Jewish world.

Beta Israel preserved the laws of the Torah and the biblical calendar with great care. However, holidays that developed outside the Torah or within later rabbinic tradition such as Hanukkah and Tu Bishvat were not central to communal life in Ethiopia.

Today, within Israel’s diverse society, members of the Ethiopian Jewish community also celebrate Tu Bishvat, as part of the shared Jewish-Israeli cultural space.

🌱 Happy Tu Bishvat
A beautiful opportunity to deepen our roots, not only those of the trees, but our own.

07/01/2026

At Fidel Be’er Sheva, we hosted the opening night for our girls’ group 🩷.
About 15 teenage girls joined us for a fun, hands-on flower-arranging workshop. Throughout the activity, they connected, got to know one another, and began building a strong, supportive group that will meet consistently throughout the year 🫶🏼.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend,

22/12/2025

Last week, as Hanukkah was coming to a close, approximately 50 teens from the Ashkelon Youth Center of the Fidel Association took part in a moving visit to the Neot Avi Nursing Home in Ashkelon.

The visit was conducted in small groups of 15–20 participants at a time, allowing for a gradual arrival and a more personal, respectful experience, while ensuring comfort and a sense of safety for both the residents and the youth. For some of the teens, this was their very first visit to a nursing home; for others, it was a return visit. For all of them, it was a meaningful and impactful experience.

The decision to visit Neot Avi was intentional and values-driven. Having visited in the past, we recognized how important it is for young people to occasionally step beyond the walls of the youth center. At the same time, visits to hospitals are not always possible due to parental consent, so we chose a nursing home as a meaningful, safe, and educational environment.

Not all residents are in regular contact with their families, and some of the teens do not have grandparents. For many of the participants, this was their first encounter with members of the older generation—an opportunity to cultivate generosity, compassion, and empathy.

The activity was thoughtfully planned in advance and included preparatory conversations for those who chose to participate, ensuring a supportive and intentional experience for everyone involved.
What stood out most was the deep compassion shown by the youth, alongside the joy and excitement expressed by the residents.

We are happy to share that this was not a one-time visit. These visits are expected to continue on a monthly basis, with the goal of turning this volunteer initiative into a lasting tradition at the youth center.

Because the light of Hanukkah does not end when the candles are extinguished—it continues through our actions. ✨

07/10/2025

Two years have passed since that terrible day, Simchat Torah, October 7, 2023.
Even two years later, the war is not over, and hostages remain in Hamas captivity.
Two years of pain, loss, and the ongoing search for hope amid the broken pieces.

At Fidel Association, we remember the victims, the families, and the hostages.
We continue to provide a space for coping, healing, and building resilience among youth across Israel.

The past two years have reminded us, more than ever, that resilience is something we build together.
May the memory of the victims be a blessing.
May the hostages return home soon.
May we continue to build a future of light and mutual responsibility.

01/10/2025

Gmar Chatimah Tovah to all.
We wish all our communities a year of growth, renewal, meaningful action, and only good news.

May we continue to create change together, empower youth, and build a brighter future for us all.
And may our hostages be released safely 🙏

With love,
The Fidel Family

30/09/2025

This year, Sarah launched a brand-new educational program for 4th–5th-grade gifted students, giving them tools for success and building their confidence, especially in English and math.
The highlight came at the end-of-year ceremony, when children who often stayed in the background stepped proudly onto the stage, received recognition for their hard work, and even received laptops that will open doors to new opportunities. 💻✨
This year, Sarah launched a brand-new educational program for 4th–5th grade gifted students, giving them tools for success and building their confidence, especially in English and math.

The highlight came at the end-of-year ceremony, when children who often stayed in the background stepped proudly onto the stage, received recognition for their hard work, and even laptops that will open doors to new opportunities. 💻✨

We are proud to continue supporting these amazing children after the holidays, with the vision of expanding the program to more cities. Huge thanks to Sarah, our dedicated team, and the generous donor who chose to make an impact with humility and love.

Wishing you a sweet new year 🍯
A year of health, growth, action, and fulfilled dreams.
Gmar Chatima Tova 🙏
From all of us at Fidel Association

22/09/2025

✨ Shanah Tovah from all of us at Fidel ✨

The new year brings with it hope for healing, connection, and joy.
We wish you and the entire community — children, youth, families, and friends —a year filled with health, love, partnership, and new achievements.

As we share these blessings, our hearts remain with the hostages and their families. May this year bring their safe and swift return.

🍎🍯 Wishing you a sweet and meaningful New Year!

14/09/2025

Remembering Mary Ann Stein (1943–2023)
Two years ago, we lost Mary Ann Stein — a visionary philanthropist, human rights advocate, and unwavering supporter of justice.
As founder of The Moriah Fund and a leader in organizations like the New Israel Fund, the Fund for Global Human Rights, and the FIDEL Association — which promotes equality and opportunity for Ethiopian Israelis — Mary Ann worked to advance democracy, women’s rights, and human dignity around the world.
She believed in grassroots change and empowered others with compassion and conviction. Her legacy lives on in every life she touched.
May her memory be a blessing, and may her work continue to inspire us.
Photo Credit: Kelly Amis via la JTA

Address

Asherov 10
Lod
7638286

Telephone

+972722507400

Website

https://en.fidel.org.il/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when FIDEL - Association for the Integration and Success of Ethiopian-Israelis posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Lod?