Together Building a Future of Hope - Project Yonah

Please allow me to share with you a vision God placed on my heart over 13 years ago - to reach out to my fellow Israelis of Ethiopian descent, and see a generation transformed from disillusionment into hope and fulfilled dreams.

In the beginning, I mainly gave lectures to families, youth, and teenagers of Ethiopian descent - on topics of hope, self-fulfillment, and love for God’s Promised Land. Then, on June 30, 2019, a 19 year old Israeli Ethiopian, Salomon Teka, was killed by an Israeli police officer. Thousands flooded the streets protesting baseline discrimination and suspicion against Ethiopian-Israelis. Following this tragedy, I felt the need to establish the vision in a more urgent, structured and serious way. I formed a think tank with the help of Israeli lawyers, social workers, police officers, and army officers. Together we built action plans to bridge the crisis that had arisen among Ethiopian families in Israel. After being ordained as pastor of Congregation Ahavat Yeshua in Jerusalem, I saw even more clearly, our calling as believers to discern the true needs of society around us and have an effect.

Before pastoring, I personally served over 20 years as an officer in the Israeli armed forces and police. I felt God prepared me with the experience and understanding of the “system” from within - to lift up a voice bridging the tension and lack of trust. Over time, we uncovered deeper issues in the community of Ethiopian immigrants to Israel: identity crises, economic and social challenges, high incarceration rates among youth, and a sense of alienation due to skin color. Some of these issues were present among Ethiopian Messianic Israelis as well.

Project Yonah (Dove) is operating in these areas:

Families and individuals needing direct support - the elderly and single mothers - by distribution of traditional Ethiopian Teff flour and cooking products, and assistance with holiday meals. In the last four major holidays (Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Passover, and Hanukkah), we supported over 80 families per holiday, with food supplies worth 400 NIS and shopping vouchers of 600 NIS, totaling 1000 NIS in support per family.

Counseling and guidance - For example, several times it happened that we visited several families with food distribution; only to learn that their son had stopped going to high school. The parents were not involved with the situation and the authorities because of cultural and language gaps. So, we mediated and advised. And the challenged sons got back on track! Other families were unaware of assistance Israel offers for their special needs children, and we were able to help connect them.

Learning Program - Empowering children and youth who lack sufficient support, through subsidized tutoring and enrichment classes. This year, we are establishing a new learning program that addresses needs among Ethiopian-Israeli children and youth in the Jerusalem area. This is sowing into families on the fringes of society, so they can grow and break out of the cycle of perceived inferiority and failure.

There are already many improved situations and success stories. At the same time, the war has increased the needs significantly. At Project Yonah, our heart to strengthen underprivileged families is increasing – toward both believing and non-believing families.

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

I warmly invite you to impact the continued fulfillment of Project Yonah with donations as you are led, through the envelope option or the link below.  Please pray for doors to open and God’s light to illuminate the lives of children, youth, and families – toward a strong future full of hope. Thank you!

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