17th Annual Student Research Conference
Social Science
Race and Resettlement: Ethiopian Jews in Israel
Courtney M. Carter
Dr. Sylvia Macauley and Dr. Sharon Squires, Faculty Mentors
In 1973 Chief Sephardic Rabbi Ovadiah officially granted Jewish status to the population of Ethiopians practicing Judaism thus making them eligible to immigrate to Israel under the nation’s Law of Return. For the next 25 years, over 40,000 Ethiopians moved to and resettled in Israel. In spite of the prescriptions in the Law of Return, Ethiopians have continuously faced obstacles in the areas of employment, housing and education that have prevented their successful integration into the larger Israeli society. This research will investigate the problems facing Ethiopian Jews in Israel and the factors responsible for those problems. The study will ask questions such as: 1). What are the problems facing Ethiopian immigrants in Israel? 2). Are these problems unique to Ethiopians? 3). What kinds of services are provided by the government for immigrant groups? 4). Does race factor in the construction or implementation of Israeli immigration and absorption policies?
Keywords: Immigration, Ethiopian Jews, Israel, Race, Identity, Policy implementatio, Government Ministry, Diaspora
Topic(s):Sociology/Anthropology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 38-1
Location: VH 1232
Time: 2:15