Recent events in Israel surrounding Ethiopian-Israelis have placed an international spotlight on an urgent issue: How can we strengthen civil society in a country — our cherished homeland — that has long represented the promise of rescue, renewal, and equality for Jews all over the world?

The modern rescue story, we know well. From Operation Moses in 1984 to the final flight from Addis Ababa in 2013, the most prominent image we have of Ethiopian Jewry is their descent from airplanes, bending down with tears in their eyes to kiss the tarmac at Ben Gurion Airport. Aliyah represented the culmination of years of yearning and careful preparation in Ethiopia, all made possible through our support of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and the Jewish Agency for Israel. But for those close to the work at hand, there was a realization that the happy ending was actually the first chapter in a much more complicated story: What happens after the rescue?

First, there was the challenge of resettling a people who migrated from a remote region of Ethiopia to a modern, technological society. To make the adjustment, new olim generally remained in absorption centers run by the Jewish Agency for two years, learning Hebrew and professional skills, and acclimating to an unfamiliar culture.

At UJA-Federation, we asked: What more could be done to give Ethiopians the same advantages as their Israeli-born peers?

And so, 20 years ago, together with JDC, we created Birth to Bagrut, an initiative to offer a broad spectrum of educational and social services for Ethiopian families — from prenatal care to preparation for high school matriculation. We selected the city of Rechovot, one of the largest Ethiopian communities in Israel, to see how these interventions and support services could shape a community. Widely lauded, Birth to Bagrut produced dramatic results in levels of academic achievement and army participation, and is now being transitioned to local municipal auspices.

Currently, our investment is focused on higher education, military service, employment, and leadership training. As just two examples of our efforts to level the playing field, we funded and piloted a historic initiative to create an alternative, nonculturally biased university entrance process. Another program connects Ethiopian-Israeli college graduates with personalized mentors from the forefront of Israel’s private sector. In fact, Ethiopian graduates of UJA-Federation-funded programs now play a critical role as advocates, activists, and leaders across Israel.

The Ethiopian community in Israel today numbers about 120,000, and more than half are Israeli born. Nonetheless, it’s clear there are disparities in the treatment of Ethiopians that Israel must grapple with as a society.

As Americans, we’ve long reflected on many of these same issues — issues that have recently dominated our own headlines — and we know that change takes time and is never easy. As Jews, we’re connected by the values embedded in the Torah. And the primary teaching of the Torah portions we’re currently reading is the mandate for us to “be holy.” Whether we’re born in Israel, the United States, or Ethiopia, we manifest our holiness as a people in the way we treat one another.

May those values guide us always.

Shabbat shalom