Home / See, Read & Share / Federation News

Jun 9, 2022

Operation Tzur Yisrael Brings Ethiopian Olim to Israel

After 17 long years, Alemitu Belew finally reunited with her daughters in Israel, thanks to Operation Zur Israel, which resumed on Wednesday, June 1, bringing 180 Ethiopians to their new homeland. The Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s overseas partner The Jewish Agency for Israel ensures immigrants arrive safely and continue to facilitate their settlement with intensive Hebrew language studies, job placement and acculturation classes. Welcoming the Ethiopian olim (immigrants), Pnina Tamano-Shata, the first Ethiopian-born woman to enter the Knesset and most recently, Israel’s first Ethiopian-born Minister (of Immigration and Absorption), said, “When I look at these children and their parents and I hear their stories, their struggle is my struggle — and it must be the struggle of all Israel.” Click here to watch a video of the June 1 welcoming ceremony at Ben Gurion Airport. Operation Zur expects 3,000 Ethiopian olim will have arrived in Israel by November 2022 for family reunification. Since 2005, we have been working closely with the Ethiopian-Israeli residents of Pardes Channa-Karkur through a variety of initiatives including the Ethiopian National Project School Performance and Community Empowerment program (SPACE) and Machon Merchavim, which places Ethiopian-Israeli educators in the Israeli school system.

Welcoming Shlichim at Summer Camps

Welcoming Shlichim at Summer Camps

Despite a war with Iran, ballistic missiles and Israel’s closed airspace, this year’s delegation of summer camp shlichim (emissaries) is the largest ever.

Read More

Helping People With Disabilities During Crises

Helping People With Disabilities During Crises

When emergency sirens blare in Israel, most people run quickly to safety in shelters, but for those with disabilities, this may be impossible, which is why Federation is funding essential programs that help during wars, terror attacks and more.

Read More

Remembering the AMIA Attack in Argentina

Remembering the AMIA Attack in Argentina

Join Jewish Miami on Tuesday, July 22 for the Annual Commemoration of the tragic AMIA (Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina) Jewish Community Center bombing in Argentina 31 years ago.

Read More

Hurricane Season Is Here

Hurricane Season Is Here

You can join the 2025 JVC Emergency Response Team (JVERT) to support our community if a disaster strikes.

Read More

Stay in Touch

Receive news about Greater Miami Jewish Federation events and more.