For years, NACOEJ has tried to persuade the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) to take over our programs in Ethiopia. JAFI is much better funded than NACOEJ, and can do much more for the community waiting in Gondar Province to make aliyah.

Now, the aliyah is underway, and the turn-over is in process. It takes longer than we expected, and JAFI still does not have Ethiopian government authorization to operate our programs. But they can provide us with much of the funding, and are learning to manage the programs under our auspices. When final permission arrives, and NACOEJ is released from our contract with the Ethiopian government, we will be able to leave Ethiopia knowing that the community is in good hands.

Right now, the aliyah is continuing on schedule. However, starting this winter, there might be a shortage of space to house any newcomers in Israel. This could stymie the aliyah if the problem isn't solved soon.

In the meantime, the need for NACOEJ educational programs in Israel for newcomers, as well as for the Ethiopian community already there, is urgently increasing.