USA
Faces of Aliyah/ 'Next Generation' teams (in conjunction with the UJC Speakers Bureau):
Leah Biteolin – made Aliyah with her family from Ethiopia in 1984. They arrived to the Jewish Agency's absorption center in Kiryat Gat. They lived there for 4 years and then moved to Rishon L'zion. After high school, Leah served at Magen David Adom for a year. She has a B.A. in Political Science and Communication from Bar Ilan University and is now in Law school. Last year, she was a Hillel emissary in Ontario, Canada. Currently, Leah works as a JAFI project coordinator in the Kiryat Moshe neighborhood in Rehovot, operated in conjunction with the Toronto Federation. Leah will participate in various events in the area of Colorado and Arizona.
- February 3-14, 2008
Bruck Teshome – made Aliyah from Ethiopia, has a Law degree from Addis Ababa University and experience in the international human rights arena. After making Aliyah, he took part at the TAKA program (pre-academic program) at the Jewish Agency's absorption center in Ashkelon. He also, volunteered to the "Big Brother" program. Bruck is currently working on his MA degree in Law at the Hebrew University.
Roi Hayon – Roi was born and raised in Jerusalem, Israel. He is 26 years old and serves as the National Education coordinator of the Ayalim association. He lives in Ashalim student's village. Ashalim was the first Student's village that was built by the Ayalim association. During his army service, he was a commander at the IDF Paratroops Brigade. He earned a B.A in Social work from Ben-Gurion University in the Negev. As a member of Ayalim, Roi works with the community at the area of the Negev, especially with children at risk and families from the area.
Kate Abazov – Kate had moved to Israel with her family in the beginning of the 1990’s. Back in Russia, Kate had participated in the first Jewish camps that had made a tremendous impact on her future in Israel. After completing her high-school studies with Excellency, Kate went on to serve in the medical corps in the Israeli Defense Forces. This year Kate had finished her B.A. degree studies at the Interdisciplinary Center in Hertzliya, majoring in Government, Diplomacy and Strategy. Currently Kate works at the FSU Education division in the Jewish Agency, coordinating educational projects for the FSU Émigrés in the North America.
- March 9-20, 2008 (will depart the US on the 20th):
Ewa Misztal
– Ewa is a 28-year-old Polish born attorney. She was born during the Communist era in Poland. She first visited Israel ten years ago as a guide for March of the Living, a unique program that takes high school students on a two-week journey – first to Poland and then to Israel. By the time the trip was over, Ewa knew that she wanted to live in Israel. Ewa came back to Israel and studied at Bar Ilan University through the foreign exchange program. After two years of studies, Ewa went back to Poland and earned her degree in European law from the University of Gdansk. She then worked as an assistant at the Israeli embassy, and became a manager at the Jewish Agency's offices in Warsaw. When she was younger, Ewa attended summer and winter camps in Poland and also served as a camp counselor. She made Aliyah in January 2007 studied at the Jewish Agency's absorption center Ulpan Etzion.
Kasaey Keren Damoza made Aliyah with her family from Ethiopia in 1984 through the historic Operation Moses. She grew up in Israel, was recruited to military service in the IDF and eventually served as an officer. She holds a BA in Education and Sociology and Anthropology from the Hebrew University and. Kasaey is a graduate of the ATIDIM program (Cadets for the Public Service) and has worked with Ethiopian children in various frameworks. Kasaey currently holds a position at the Israeli Ministry of Absorption.
JAFI Professional – to be announced
- April 6-16, 2008
- May 4-15, 2008