N•E•W – Nishmat Ethiopian Women:
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty
MA’AYAN (N•E•W) combines Torah learning with the keys to a better future for Ethiopian-Israeli National Service and Israel Defense Forces veterans. Each student receives a full tuition-and-dormitory scholarship as well as a living stipend. The program includes a second chance at high school matriculation and specialized preparation for the college entrance psychometric exam, extensive mentoring, a course in managing the family budget, and workshops dealing with domestic violence, as well as an integrated environment that offsets their sense of social isolation, and special programs to develop pride in their Ethiopian Jewish heritage. While 72% of Ethiopian-Israeli children live below the poverty line, the high school drop out rate is double the national average, one out of every three doesn't finish high school, and almost 2/3 of those who do finish high school fail the matriculation exams that are a ticket to higher education. |
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The Nishmat program enables its graduates to gain acceptance to university and professional schools, and break out of the cycle of poverty and hopelessness in which their families are trapped. Alumnae tracking shows that between 80 and 90% of graduates each year have gained college acceptance. N•E•W graduates are enrolled at or have graduated from Hebrew University, Bar Ilan University, David Yellin College of Education, Jerusalem College of Technology , Hadassah Hospital, Shaarey Zedek and Laniado Hospital Nursing Schools, Jerusalem College (Michlala), Orot College, and Bar Ilan and Shaarey Mishpat Law Schools.
In the words of graduate Emunah Kalamora, now an occupational therapist at Kaplan Hospital in Rehovot after graduating Hebrew University's School of Occupational Therapy, "Nishmat was the first time I ever studied without money worries." Says Netanella Mula, now a lawyer at the Public Defender's Office in Tel Aviv, "I didn't plan to study law when I came to Nishmat. I learned at Nishmat that I could do anything." Says Zahava Kapalu Cohen, now a Bible and History teacher at a pluralistic Jerusalem high school who's begun her M.A., "I'm a Nishmat story; I'm one of 14 and my father wanted me to work at a supermarket; Nishmat convinced him to let me study. I was accepted to college only through Nishmat; and I stuck it out only because of Nishmat."
Under a special arrangement with the Ministry of Education, several Jerusalem colleges are conducting Joint Programs with Nishmat. Joint Program students are promising N•E•W students whose test scores fall below college entrance. Participating colleges admit the students provisionally, subject to continued residence, economic support and intensive mentorship at Nishmat. Nishmat's warm embrace of its Ma'ayan students continues long after completion of the program. Alumnae return to Nishmat for frequent Shabbatot and programs, and regularly attend shiurim in teachers' homes. Nishmat maintains a N•E•W Assistance Fund to help alumnae who marry to set up their homes, to help with dental care, and to provide emergency assistance. To sponsor or contribute to a scholarship for a N•E•W student, or donate to the N•E•W Assistance Fund, click here.
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Contact: NISHMAT 26a Berel Locker Street, Pat Neighborhood,Jerusalem 93282 ISRAEL
Email:
Phone: +972-2-6404333 Fax: +972-2-6404353
Women's Halachic Hotline: +972-2-640-4343 Toll free from the United States and Canada: 1-877-963-8938