Idea to improve integration of Olim from Ethiopia

This past Yom Rishon, DH and I visited the protest tent outside the Prime Minster's Residence.  This tent was set up 2 1/2 months ago to protest discrimination against Jews of Ethiopian background.  It was  such a wonderful experience to sit with the people there - olim and native Israelis, some from Ethiopia, some "ordinary, white folk" to talk about what can be done better.

I asked what the feeling is among olim from Ethiopia about integration in school.  In most religious public schools in Beit Shemesh, the city places 1-3 olim in each class.   There is someone who works as a "megasher" (liaison) for the parents, however, this does not necessarily help the olim feel understood or wanted by their teachers or classmates.  

What they do NOT want is to have separate classes or separate schools.  On the whole, there is a desire for integration, but they are not looking for their children to becoming second-class European-culture-wannabes.  They want their culture to be integrated into the general Israeli culture.  That certainly makes sense to me.  It's what every Oleh wants, really.

An action item was proposed, with a request that we as parents demand this of our children's schools:

There are plenty of older Olim from Ethiopia who have finished teachers' college, who could work in these schools, but they aren't being hired.  As Anglo olim, I know that my children's schools understand where we are coming from as well as our children's needs because there are many Olim like ourselves on staff  in each of our children's schools.   What the people in the tent were saying is that if there were 2,3 (or more!) teachers in each school, teaching a variety of  subjects, the conversation in the teacher's room would immediately assist the teachers in understanding the cultural differences among the students.  In that new environment, far fewer children of Ethiopian background would be getting punishments for "inappropriate behaviour" when they are actually simply being misunderstood because of cultural differences (many olim get such punishments in the army , too).  The teachers' room would model cooperation and understanding between the very different cultures.  The olim children and their parents would get the support they need.   

So, now it is up to us - to make this demand of our city, our schools.   Off I go.  Please join me.