Meitars+I+Face

=Rationale = toc

In our project we were asked to choose a new immigrant whose contribution to society has made an imprint. It immediately came to my mind that the person most suitable for this project would be Maru Geta, my brother-in-low. Maru immigrated from Ethiopia when he was approximately eight years old. In Ethiopia he had been a shepherd who did not know to read and write. The realization of how far he has travelled culturally continues to amaze me to this day. From the moment he arrived in Israel, Maru has demanded the maximum from himself and strove to reach the highest goals without any concession. He is a medical student, as of how. I admire my brother-in-low and respect his choices along his path of life.

=Profile =

Maru Gete, 26, immigrated to Israel in 1991.  “In Ethiopia we were considered to be really rich. We had many sheep and cattle, and abundant fields. Suddenly in Israel we are seen as poor, we have nothing.” Maru and his family lived in a small village in northern Ethiopia, named Rege. This was an isolated village, a Jewish village. Life in the village was not technologically developed. Obviously, there were no cars in the village: even electricity or running water were nonexistent. Maru’s family was thought to be well off since they owned plenty of fields, land, sheep and cattle. Everything they wanted to eat, they grew on their own. If they lacked any product they bartered with their neighbors: “I’ll give you a sack of flour and in return you shall give me a sack of potatoes”. Water was drawn from the well, heating was done by burning wood. Light was used by rich people only, with oil (kerosene) lamps. Life followed the cycle of the sun: when the sun shined – people got up to work; at sundown people turned in and went to bed. Maru’s family consisted of twelve children, and each child had certain chores that were his or her responsibility to do. Maru and his older sister, Nano, were shepherds. Each morning they took the sheep far out to the meadows. Sometimes Maru was also expected to gather twigs for the fire. Until he came to Israel, Maru never went to school. For years the Ethiopian Jews prayed that they will be able to come to Israel. After the state of Israel was founded, the dream became a possible reality: In 1984 the first ALIYA, immigration to Israel, occurred. Maru was one year old and his mother was expecting again, with his brother David. Therefore, Maru’s father decided against leaving Ethiopia since it would be too dangerous to set out on such a difficult journey in those conditions. The oldest sons, twins, Samai and Santai, set out on their perilous journey. On the way, Santai became extremely sick and passed away. Samai continued on his own, survived, and reached the land of Israel. In 1989, five years later, the entire family decided to immigrate. They rented trucks and after three days of traveling they arrived at Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. They stayed in a refugee camp for nine months, until there passport and visas were intact. “We made Aliya, returning to Zion. The flight was very scary. We had never flown before; we did not understand how the airplane leaves the ground. When we landed, everyone kneeled and kissed the ground and cried. When we arrived in Israel we were very surprised. There had been hardly any communication between Ethiopian Jews and Jews in the other parts of the world. We thought we were the last Jews. The second surprise was that we had expected a land of milk and honey, we expected a land where all Jews would observe Shabbat and would pray. It’s the sacred land! In Ethiopia we were told that the rivers in Israel run with milk and that honey flows in the streets. When we arrived in Israel, we understood things were a little different…” “In spite of everything, I am glad to be in Israel. It is a dream fulfilled. Our generation succeeded in achieving what other generations prayed years for; going to Israel! “ Maru and his family moved to an absorption center in Michmoret, where they lived for four years. (Then they moved to Petach Tikva.) In school the teacher wanted to give Maru a Hebrew name. His last name is __G__ete, and so they tried to find a name with a similar sound. Maru had to decide between Gilad and Gideon, and he chose the first word he heard, and so it was decided that his name would be Gilad. Maru studied in a regular class. The first year at school he hardly understood a word. Considering he didn’t know how to read and write, or any Hebrew for the matter, this isn’t surprising. But gradually his vocabulary grew, especially as he became friendly with kids in his class. He had many obstacles to overcome and knew he would have to close many intellectual gaps. Maru’s father always encouraged his children to be educated; he always said he had no money to purchase material things, except books. For books he always managed to find money! His high school years were spent in a Yeshiva and he lived in a dormitory. Maru was a diligent student, studied hard and his matriculation certificate (Teudat Bagrut) was really good, with no concessions. “I did not agree to any concessions. I wanted to be like everyone else. That means to the last detail. No giving in or giving up…I can work and achieve just like anyone else”. After high school Maru went to a Hesder Yeshiva “Birkat Moshe” in Ma’ale Adomiim. (There he studied Chevruta with a guy named Asael, who later became his brother-in-law, when Maru married Shakked, Asael’s sister). As part of the Hesder program Maru joined the army and became an officer in “Golani”. He wanted to do a meaningful army service. Maru believed that part of being integrated into Israeli society as well as the gratitude he owed the state of Israel would be serving a full term army service (even though he was on Hesder program). Today, Maru is a medical student in Ben Gurion University. He also volunteers in an organization called “ACHARAI” (Follow me!). The aim of this organization is to reach out to youngsters from problematic neighborhoods and instill in them the motivation to do their best, to strive, to enlist in the army and to serve in a meaningful position. Hopefully, this will enable them to be better citizens in the future. This is the second year that Maru is volunteering in this organization. This entails meeting with group of teen-agers twice a week and engaging in physical activities in order to strengthen them physically and emotionally. There are approximately 35-40 pupils at any given meeting. Discipline is one of the major requirements. The organization expects the students to function on a high level. These high standards bring out of the pupil motivation thus causing these youngsters to do their best and become a positive force in society and to contribute significantly to Israel. When I asked Maru which culture he felt more comfortable with, the Israeli or the Ethiopian, there were few seconds of silence. Debating, Maru answered: “First of all, I feel Jewish. I think that is the most dominant with me. I am Israeli on the whole I try to combine both cultures. I understand the significance of both. That is why I spent time with my father learning to read and write in Amharic. I ‘m also very interested in the history of the Ethiopian Jews. I try to learn as much as I can about the roots and the past of my ancestors. I hope my children, who are partially Ethiopian, will also relate to their Ethiopian heritage. I intend to speak Amharic with my son so he will acquire a second language, an extra culture. Because language is equivalent to culture. Thus my son, Hillel, will also be able to communicate with his Ethiopian grandparents, who are not fluent in Hebrew. My wife also speaks Amharic, so that helps. By talking with his grandparents, Hillel will be exposed to traditional stories and customs of Ethiopia. “ Maru met his wife (my sister) through his partner (chavruta) in Yeshive. A various people reacted in different ways to this mixed couple. Most people thought it was interesting and special and that is the best sort of integration (“kibbutz galuyot”). They are viewed as an exotic couple, and people support and respect the attachment they formed, even if personally they would not have gone to such lengths.” People consider this marriage as a complex decision, but for us this was a clear road we took. This is what being one nation literally means. “ My moto in life is : There are no problems- only challenges! By chosing to do things effectively, in depth with all your heart, and to know how to use fortitude while combining complex issues and integrating opposing forces .

 Maru in Ethiopia as a child.

 Maru with his wife, Shakked (my sister).



Maru and his daughter Telem (my niece).

=Background Research: = <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">“Aharai!” <span style="color: #3399ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">The goal of “aharai!” is to start up and develop a leadership among youth from under privileged communities. The new leadership will learn how to help themselves advance on a personal level; alongside, they will be expected to be involved in their own communities. Through their personal motivation and education, these leaders will be able to help other disadvantaged people from their own group and reach the ultimate goal, of being involved in the Israeli community as a whole. It all began 11 years ago, with 5 “aharai!” groups, who decided they want to be involved in Israeli society and contribute to it. Nowadays there are a hundred and forty groups of “aharai!” project, with 2500 youth participating, from various and different sectors of Israeli society. The youth are Ethiopian, Russian and even some school drop-out. Participants learn values and skills that will help them pass the “bagrut” exams. They also acquire skills which will prepare them for army service and possible leadership. The goal is to help these youngsters become citizens who will not be a burden but will contribute to the state of Israel. In order to achieve these aims, the project aims at three main targets: __On a personal level:__ Most teen-agers wish to better themselves and succeed. However, many don’t have the guidance to help them. “Aharai!” provides them with abilities to help them achieve their goal.

__On a community level:__ Every community needs leaders and role-models. Participants in the “aharai!” movement learn to take responsibility not only for themselves, but also for their human environment. The motto of “aharai!” is: “what we do is what will be.” __On a national level:__ By helping these young individuals build their own identity, “aharai!” hopes to help these under privileged youngsters become part of the national experience (by joining the army and volunteering in order to improve society as a whole.) <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">Links: <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">If you would like to read more about another organization that help youth-at-risk, press here: []

Who are ** Israel **** ’s youth-at-risk? ** If you want to read more press here: <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; msoansilanguage: EN-US; msobidilanguage: HE; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msofareastlanguage: EN-US;"><span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">[]

=<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">Literary Connection: =

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">**<span style="color: #3399ff; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">המסע לארץ ישראל ** [|**] <span style="color: #3399ff; font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">[|שלמה גרוניך ומקהלת שבא] [|**]
 * __<span style="color: #3399ff; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">מילים __**** : ****<span style="color: #3399ff; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">חיים אידיסיס **
 * __<span style="color: #3399ff; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">לחן __**** : ****<span style="color: #3399ff; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">שלמה גרוניך **

הירח משגיח מעל על גבי שק האוכל הדל המדבר מתחתי, אין סופו לפנים ואמי מבטיחה לאחי הקטנים

עוד מעט, עוד קצת להרים רגלים מאמץ אחרון לפני ירושלים

אור ירח החזק מעמד שק האוכל שלנו אבד המדבר לא נגמר, יללות של תנים ואמי מרגיעה את אחי הקטנים

עוד מעט, עוד קצת בקרוב נגאל לא נפסיק ללכת לארץ ישראל

ובלילה תקפו שודדים בסכין גם בחרב חדה במדבר דם אמי, הירח עדי ואני מבטיחה לאחי הקטנים

עוד מעט, עוד קצת יתגשם החלום עוד מעט נגיע לארץ ישראל

בירח דמותה של אמי מביטה בי, אמא על תיעלמי לו הייתה לצידי היא הייתה יכולה לשכנע אותם שאני יהודי

עוד מעט, עוד קצת להרים רגלים מאמץ אחרון לפני ירושלים

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">**The journey to Israel** __melody: Shlomo Gronic__**
 * Shlomo Gronic and the quire of Shva**
 * __Words: hayim Ididis__

On my back I have my meager food-sack. The desert is under me, I can't see the end. and my mom promise my little brothers-
 * The moon supervises above.

In a little while, just a little bit more, raise your feet, last exertion,**
 * Before we get to Jerusalem.

Light of the moon-hold on. We lost our food-sack. The desert is infinite, jackals are wailing. And my mom is soothing my brothers-

In a little while, just a little bit more, soon we'll be freed, we won't stop walking, to the land of Israel.

In the night, robbers attacked, with a blade, with a sharp sword, my mom's blood stayed in the dessert, the moon is my witness. So I promise my little brothers-

In a little while, just a little bit more, our dream will come true, we'll get there, to the land of Israel.

In the moon I see the image of my mom, she's watching me, mom- please don't disappear if she were next to me, she would have convinced them I'm a Jew!

In a little while, just a little bit more, raise your feet last exertion, before we get to Jerusalem.**

The above poem describes the heavy price that the passage to Israel took from the Ethiopian immigrants. The walk for months on end while starving, thirsty in the heat and cold of the desert. They did all they could in order to reach Israel. The words of the song describe their hardships: “On my back I have my meager food sack. The desert is under me, I can’t see the end.” Then Ethiopian travelers didn’t have much food, the desert seems endless yet they are full of hope and their mother encourages them on. In the second stanza we see how their situation deteriorates. “We lost our food-sack, The desert is infinite, jackals are wailing”. The food is practically gone and the jackals are scary, all is dark. However, the mother continues to encourage her children to continue and not give up. By the third stanza the situation has deteriorated significantly more, when robbers murder the mother. “In the night, robbers attacked…my mom's blood stayed in the dessert”. Now that the supportive mother is no longer with the group, one of the sisters is forced to mature rapidly and take the mother’s place and encourage the young children. The journey is rough. Moreover, Israeli bureaucracy is insensitive to their plight and demands the immigrants prove that they are Jews in order to allow them to enter. (An essential part of this proof is showing that your mother is Jewish. And their mother, as mentioned, was murdered on the way!) but this brave family is full of hope and yearning for Jerusalem and nothing will stop them. I think the poet tried to convey the enormous effort that the Ethiopians Jews made in order to reach Israel. Despite all the horrors and ordeals they encounter on the way- they never waver in their belief that Israel is their home. For us, Israelis burn in Israel (“Tzabarim”) it is so obvious that we live here in the land of Israel is inconceivable to think otherwise. I especially empathized with the song since one of my brothers-in-law is Ethiopian. Besides, I am a leader in an absorption-center for immigrants from Ethiopia and therefore, the story of their journey to Israel is especially significant to me. Even after all the hardships on the way, difficulties still remain. The immigrants need to learn a new language, a different culture and management which are all so different from the life-style they were accustomed to. The Ethiopian face even more alienation than other immigrants, since they basically have to leap over 1500 years of technological inventions they never came across. Besides the language barrier, most of the equipment in our home in alien to them. They face so many challenges and that is why I admire them even more. Every week, when I meet the children I work with or their parents, I encounter new difficulties they face individually and in opposition to their parents. Often, a reverse of roles occurs, when the young have to guide the parents in the ways to the world instead of vice-versa. These cause conflicts and frictions which enhance the feeling of estrangement. Israeli society has not embraced the Ethiopians. The difference in culture and the fact that their color is so obviously different, hasn’t made things easier for Ethiopians. We should realize there is much to learn from them, in their warmth and acceptance of others. Their hospitality is exceptional. Their loyalty to each other and their concern for the needs of others are traits we can learn a lot from. I feel lucky I have been (and still am) exposed to this group, “eidah”, and to learn from them a lot more.

=Creative Connection=

<span style="color: #3399ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">In the above collage I embedded photos of myself with pictures of Ethiopian girls from the group I lead. In this collage I see the essence of my connection to the land of Israel, with one of the main principles I believe in relating to the Jewish nation: "KIBUTZ GALUIOT"- bringing all the Jews from the Diaspora to Israel, where they belong.

Isaiah said: "I will bring thy seed from the east, give up; and to the south, keep not back: bring my son from far and my daughters from the end of the earth".

The bible stresses the importance of all Jews coming to live in <span style="color: #3399ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Israel. <span style="color: #3399ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">In my opinion, the land of Israel is where Jews from varied and different backgrounds live together in harmony and unity. I think my sister and brother-in-law achieved this " KIBUTZ GALUIOT" in their marriage, and that is one of the reasons why I chose my brother-in-law, Maru, as the subject of my project.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3399ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">May we succeed in beholding "KIBUTZ GALUIOT" with our own eyes, in our time <span style="color: #3399ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">.

=<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">Reflection =

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;"> I look back at the process which I went through while working on my project. My project underwent various changes as well. I invested many hours and a lot of thought in the process and I’m happy with the end-result, and with each and every detail in it: <span style="color: #3399ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">· The interview with Maru organized a lot of information I knew about him, into a coherent and rather emotional piece. I would also like to point out that Maru sounds exactly as he is in real life- ambitious and quiet-spoken. <span style="color: #3399ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">· The background research taught me a lot about under-privileged youth and caused me to think of ways to cope with this situation and improve their status. <span style="color: #3399ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">· The literary connection forced me to think beyond the specific assignment and to broaden my view. Studying the song and its significance helped mw analyze in depth the essence of my connection to the land of Israel and the song has become one of my favorite ones. <span style="color: #3399ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">· The creative connection added new dimensions to my realization of the deep bond existing between Jews and the land of Israel, as well as serving as a lovely, nostalgic decoration in my room, where the pictures hangs. =] I am really glad I chose this project for several other reasons: During the writing of the project my ability to express myself in written English developed and helped me overcome certain language barriers. Besides, typing in English and overall use of computer function also improved a lot. Besides technical issues, I fell I have learnt more about my brother-in-law’s background and his life story/ this information is very useful in helping me reach my own pupil in the “Bnei-Akiva” youth movement and better relate to their life-stories.

=Bibliography:=

The Israel Association for Ethiopian Jews, 26/01/10 <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">[]

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">"Aharai!" an organization for youth-in-risk, Niztan Eshval, 26/01/10 [|http://www.aharai.org.il] <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">"The journey to Israel", Shlomo Gronic and the quire of Shva.