Netanya

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Your support will help create a brighter future for Ethipoian-Israelis in Netanya

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The Challenge

Educational Challenges in a City with a High Concentration of Ethiopian-Israelis

Netanya is a city in the northern Center District of Israel, located on the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea. Netanya is home to the winner of the Miss Israel competition. Her name is Yityish “Titi” Aynaw; an Israeli model of Ethiopian descent. She is the first black Miss Israel winner!

Netanya is one of the bigger cities in Israel and counts 210,800 inhabitants. It has a large immigrant population with a Persian Jewish community and immigrants coming from the former Soviet Union, France, United Kingdom, United States and Canada. Notably, it has the largest Ethiopian community, consisting of 10,262 Ethiopian-Israelis, 1,539 of whom are between the ages of 13 and 18 years old.

The neighborhood of Shikun Vatikim is a place in Netanya with a high concentration of Ethiopian-Israelis, namely 89%. ENP estimates that there are around 200-300 teenagers living in this neighborhood. These and other Ethiopian-Israeli teenagers in Netanya:

• Live in a community with a low employment among women. Among younger women, the percentage does not rise above 31% (Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute).

• Often have parents with a little understanding of Hebrew. About 25% of the men and 30% of the women are unable to conduct and understand a simple conversation in Hebrew. 40% are unable to read and write Hebrew. This means kids often have no older family members that can help them with homework. 

ENP's Response

Educational Successes and Personal Growth in ENP’s Programs

Nowadays, ENP only runs the Scholastic Assistance Program. Unfortunately, the Youth Outreach Center in the Shikun Vatikim neighborhood has been operating without ENP’s support since 2013. In the past, professionals noted enormous success and fun in the youth outreach center where around 150 teenagers attended and benefitted enormously from the center. ENP is still searching for funding in order to keep this successful Youth Outreach Center in Netanya running smoothly!

The Scholastic Assistance Program provides students supplementary hours of educational support from grades 7 to 12 in order to strengthen their academic achievement, reduce risk behaviors, and encourage personal growth. 

Successful facts of ENP’s Scholastic Program in Netanya:

• 463 teenagers have joined the program 

• 100% of the participants of the program who entered high school in 2011-2012 were tracked in full matriculation classes, which allowed them greater opportunities to pursue higher education. 

• In 2011-2012, 83% of 12th graders (51 out of 62 students) were expected to achieve full matriculation, in comparison to 64% in 2010-2011 and 57% in 2006-2007. This is a very significant achievement, considering 62% is the national Jewish average for matriculation.  

 

Did you know that…

Over 30 volunteers were active at the Center, including eight students from Netanya College, 10 students from Ruppin College, five new immigrant students who received scholarships for their volunteer work, members of local youth groups, and 10 residents from the Netanya area.  

 


Success Story: Sara


At the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year, Sara* was moved to a new class. She found it difficult to adjust to her new teacher and new classmates, and she did not actively participate in classroom activities.  After ENP identified her struggles, Sara was invited to attend ENP’s Scholastic Assistance program in order to boost her self-esteem and help her succeed in her schoolwork.  After several weeks, the program coordinator discussed Sara’s progress with her teacher, who reported excitedly that “Scholastic Assistance is an amazing program! Sara is blossoming and has become an excellent student, and has improved her relationships with myself and the other students.  Sara counts the days down to each study group, and I see positive changes in many areas.  ENP’s Scholastic Assistance Program does wonders for its students, and I’m so glad and proud that Sara and some of my other students have the opportunity to take part.”



* Name has been changed in order to protect identity.