Keren Hanan
Aynor

Keren Hanan Aynor

Keren Hanan Aynor was founded by Sarah Aynor in 1994 in memory of Hanan Aynor. Our mission is to address the needs of the Ethiopian immigrant community by assisting talented and highly-motivated Ethiopian Israelis to acquire higher academic education and/or advanced professional degrees. Our vision is to work directly with members of the Ethiopian Israeli community to promote the emergence of a core leadership committed to serving both internal needs as well as society at large, thus empowering a new generation of Ethiopians to excel and flourish in Israeli society.

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Newsletter 22 - September 2019

KHA wishes you a happy and healthy Jewish New Year - one of growth, fulfillment, learning and new experiences. A special thank you to our donors for their ongoing support. SHANA TOVA!

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The story of our scholar Esther Taphara

Hi, I’m Esther Taphara and today, I am prouder than ever.

Today, we inaugurated the new cardiac bypass unit at Hadassah Hospital on Mount Scopus, where I am the head bypass technician. I, Esther, who immigrated to Israel from Gondar, Ethiopia when I was 9 years old.

Esther, who did it all alone, without Mom, Dad and my six siblings who the Ethiopian government refused to grant exit. A girl paired in a matter of moments with a family she didn’t know, who would accompany her to Israel. A girl who didn’t know a word in English or Hebrew, who was afraid to fall asleep on the flights to Israel for even one second, for fear that she might be forgotten somewhere on the way…

I, Esther, who arrived at Ben Gurion Airport and was sent in a taxi with a driver, holding a note in his hand bearing the names of my relatives in the Gilo neighborhood of Jerusalem. Who, together with him, drove around the streets of the neighborhood searching for “an Ethiopian family who lives right around here,” when the family didn’t even know that I was coming…

Today, I am prouder than ever. Proud of the long journey that that 9-year-old girl traveled, learning Hebrew and English in Jerusalem, pairing one word with another and beginning to dream. Dreaming to be someone, to progress, to study. Who chose to be a medical device engineer and pursue a master’s degree. Who was so happy at all of the opportunities provided to me here, proud to become part of Hadassah Hospital – first as an intern and then as a regular employee, a real member of the medical team.

I worked as a respiratory treatment technician at Ein Karem for 14 years, and then I was offered the chance to be the head technician of the new cardiac bypass unit at Hadassah Mount Scopus. Dr. Roni Alkalai, manager of the unit, accepted me for the position and I, skipping from stage to stage in life, progressing from position to position, couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe my personal success, which surprises me every time anew. I couldn’t believe that was taking so much upon myself. I have often asked myself, “What are you doing?! Establishing an entire new bypass unit from scratch? Starting to learn a new field? What type of mess are you getting yourself into?” But this is who I am, always striving and searching for challenges, just like that 9-year-old girl who immigrated to Israel alone. That girl who never dreamed that one day she would be the one working with suppliers and professionals, establishing an entire system together, and being part of a team saving lives here at Hadassah.

I look back and I don’t believe it. I look forward, and I know that there is so much more ahead of me…

66% of student's requests are being refused by KHA each year due to lack of funds. Be a part of their success!

Submit your tax free donations today!

To date, Keren Hanan Aynor has distributed 3,707 scholarships to its graduates

Did you know that…?

70% of our scholarship recipients are women?

96% of our scholarship recipients are Ethiopian born

85% of our scholarship recipients are parents?

59 % of our scholarship recipients are studying a bachelor's degree

26% of our scholarship recipients are studying a master's degree

13% of our scholarship recipients are studying in a certificate program or other professional program

38% of our scholarship recipients are in the education/teaching certificate/ social work fields

17% of our scholarship recipients studied the social sciences/humanities

12% of our scholarship recipients studied medicine/nursing

96% of our scholarship recipients are currently employed

Our dropout rates are significantly lower than the national dropout rates amongst students in institutions of academic study throughout the country

Who we are

Our Mission

Keren Hanan Aynor inspires Ethiopian Israelis to achieve these goals by providing selected students with financial scholarships to support their education, as well as personal guidance, support, and encouragement during the course of their studies to assist them in completing their degrees.

Accomplishments

Over the past two decades, Keren Hanan Aynor has distributed over 3,467 scholarships to students in over 50 different fields. Much more than a financial grant, each scholarship empowers an individual student with a critical message of support and encouragement, thus inspiring them to continue to pursue their academic dreams despite their many challenges.

Through our program, Keren Hanan Aynor enables Ethiopian-Israeli students to focus on their studies, thereby decreasing the dropout rate from institutions of higher education.

In Memoriam

Hanan Aynor, z”l
(1916-1993)

Born in Frankfurt, Hanan Aynor (then Hans Sonneborn) left Nazi Germany in 1935 and joined Kibbutz Ashdot Yaakov in pre-state Israel. During World War II, he served in the British Army behind enemy lines in occupied France. Following the war, Aynor joined the Aliyah Bet operations in Europe, aiding Holocaust survivors to reach Palestine. His roles were diverse, including serving as the official translator for the ship ״Exodus״ during the months that it was detained in the port of Marseille.

Following the establishment of the State of Israel, Aynor joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Over the next four decades he served his country in Brazil, Canada, the United Nations, and twice, as head of the Ministry’s African desk. He also served as ambassador to Mexico, Senegal, and Ethiopia.

Hanan Aynor in Wikipedia

Books published by Hanan Aynor :

AFRICA IN CRISIS H.I.M Hanan S. Aynor (Volume 1 out of 3)

AFRICA IN CRISIS CONGO Hanan S. Aynor

History of immigration from France- Sonneborn (Hebrew)

Organizational Priorities

Keren Hanan Aynor supports Ethiopian Israeli students in the following categories:

Masters or PhD candidates

Undergraduates with children who wish to upgrade their educational and professional level

Students who are not eligible for/receiving assistance from other sources

Students who are working toward a specialized diploma to advance their employment level

Students who are enrolled In fields new to Ethiopian immigrants (“trail-blazers”)

Presenting credentials to Emperor Haile Selassie, 1971

Aynor headed the Israel-Africa Friendship League until his death. During the many years of his work in and on behalf of Africa, Aynor formed a strong attachment to Ethiopia and dreamed of bringing its Jews to Israel. Keren Hanan Aynor has become his legacy, helping to ensure a future for Ethiopian Jews in Israel.

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Video

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Ethiopian Community

A Brief History of the Ethiopian Israeli Community

Since ancient times, Ethiopian Jews have maintained a close link to their Jewish identity and traditions. A yearning for Jerusalem has always been central to their culture and customs.

Despite numerous set-backs and tremendous hardships, in the 20th century their dream of immigrating to their homeland in Israel became a reality.

1975 - The Israeli government confirms that the “Law of Return” applies to Ethiopian Jews.

1979-1990 - A Mossad agent organizes the first journey of 32 Ethiopian Jews to Israel through Sudan. Their letters home inspire many Ethiopians to attempt the journey through Sudan on foot. The journey is filled with dangers, and during the 1980’s thousands of Ethiopians die en route to Israel.

1984-1985 - Operation Moses: Approximately 7,000 Ethiopian Jews arrive in Israel on 23 secret flights flying through Europe. Following a leak to the press about the operation, the Arab world is outraged and the operation is stopped. Numerous Ethiopians are separated from family members left behind in Ethiopia.

Today’s Challenges in the Ethiopian Israeli Community

While Ethiopian Israelis have made many strides in Israeli society during the past two decades, their overall picture, as compared to the rest of Israeli society, still remains bleak. According to recent studies by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, only 30% of Ethiopian Israelis (compared to the national average of 50%) complete their high school matriculation exams. The average Ethiopian Israeli household has a monthly income of only NIS 7,328 (~ $1,800), compared with an Israeli national average of NIS 12,010 (~$ 3,000).

Furthermore, there is a far higher incidence of single-parent households, 23%, more than twice the nationwide percentage.

Our program allows students who are academically and motivationally capable of acquiring degrees to complete their studies without having finances or socio-economic pressures become a deciding factor.

1985-1990 - The flow of Ethiopian Jews coming to Israel through Sudan is renewed. Through rescue missions by the Mossad, 1500 immigrants arrive to Israel. During a time span of 10 years, the Mossad helps close to 16,000 Ethiopian Jews through Sudan, not including those who came with Operation Solomon.

1989 - Renewal of diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Israel: an Israeli embassy opens in Addis Ababa and Ethiopian Jews start arriving to Addis Ababa from surrounding villages.

1991 - Operation Solomon, May 25-26th, 1991: Within 36 hours, an unprecedented aliyah operation takes place and 14,310 members of “Beta Israel” are brought to Israel by air from Addis Ababa. During 1990-1993 over 30,000 Ethiopian Jews arrive in Israel.

2020 - Israel estimates that approximately 145,000 Ethiopian Jews are living in the State of Israel. The aliyah from Ethiopia continues today.

All of these realities lead many highly talented and motivated Ethiopians Israelis to succumb to economic and emotional pressures and to remain trapped in a vicious poverty cycle which does not enable them to fulfill their potential as the highly-educated contributing members of Israeli society that they long to be.

Fortunately, there is no shortage of talented and motivated Ethiopians, and if not for lack of financial resources, many more would presently be enrolled in higher academic institutions.

At present, Keren Hanan Aynor turns away over 60% of our qualified applicants due to lack of funds. On a regular basis, it comes to our attention that students who have been turned down by our program due to lack of funding, have either taken a leave of absence from school for a year or have left academia completely. This type of finance-related dropout is directly impacted by the number of scholarships which we are able to provide each year.

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History

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Statistics

In 2019-20 Keren Hanan Aynor awarded 306 scholarships.

The scholarship recipients included:

Distribution by Gender

Distribution by Family Status

Our first five grant recipients, 1994

Ethiopian Ambassador to Israel, third from left.

Sarah Aynor, second from left.

Courses taken - number of students (1994-2019):

Accounting – 15
Accounting – 3
Accounting and information systems – 2
Accounting and instruction – 1
Accounting supplement – 1
Accounting, supplementary year – 1
Administration – 4
Administration for managers – 2
Administrative accounting – 15
Administrators program – 2
Aeronautics and space engineering – 2
Aeronautics and space engineering – 2
African studies – 1
Anthroposophical education - 1
Applied mathematics – 1
Archeology – 1
Archeology and anthropology – 3
Architecture – 1
Architecture – 1
Architecture and design – 4
Architecture and interior design - 1
Art – 7
Art instruction – 3
Art teacher – 2
Art therapy – 1
Banking and the capital market – 1
Behavioral science – 1
Behavioral science – 30
Bible – 1
Bible and literature – 2
Bible and Talmud education – 1
Bible and Talmud teacher – 1
Biochemistry and food technology – 1
Biology – 1
Biotechnology – 5
Biotechnology engineering – 4
Biotechnology technical engineer – 1
Biotechnology technical engineer – 2
Building engineering – 4
Bus driver – 4
Business administration – 115
Business administration and human resources - 6
Business administration and information systems – 1
Business administration and information systems – 1
Business administration school – 7
Caregivers – 5
Certification – 1
Certification supplement – 2
Certified guide – 1
Certified nurse – 1
Certified nurse (female) – 3
Certified nurse (male) – 7
Certified nurse certification – 1
Certified technician – 2
Chemical and biotechnology engineering – 1
Chemical and biotechnology engineering – 2
Chemical engineering – 5
Chemistry – 10
Cinematic arts and television – 2
Civil engineering – 10
Clinical biochemistry – 1
Clinical biochemistry, Ph.D. – 1
Clinical communications – 1
Clinical criminology – 2
Clinical psychology – 4
Communications – 12
Communications and education – 4
Communications and political science – 3
Communications disorders – 2
Communications systems engineering – 1
Communications, creativity, and criticism – 3
Community management and coordination – 3
Computer and network management technician – 1
Computer and network technician – 3
Computer expert – 1
Computer programming – 7
Computer science – 21
Computer science and management education – 3
Computer technical engineer – 6
Computer-mathematics – 1
Computers – 11
Construction technical engineer – 1
Consulting – 7
Consulting and communications – 1
Couple and family caregiver – 1
Criminology – 29
Criminology and education – 1
Criminology and law – 6
Criminology and law enforcement – 3
Criminology and sociology – 4
Dance – 3
Democratic education – 1
Dental hygienist – 1
Dental hygienist – 1
Dental hygienist – 1
Dental hygienist – 19
Dental hygienist – 2
Dental hygienist – 2
Dental hygienist – 21
Dentistry – 2
Department of Administration and Economics – 2
Department of Education and Psychology – 2
Department of History, Philosophy and Jewish Studies – 2
Didactic diagnosis – 1
Digital machinery drafting – 1
Digital media – 1
Dispute management and settlement – 3
Dispute management and settlement thesis – 1
Doctor receptionist – 3
Doctor secretary – 1
Dynamic diagnosis – 1
Early childhood – 11
Early childhood/kindergarten teacher – 8
Economics – 13
Economics and accounting – 9
Economics and administration – 3
Economics and business administration – 4
Economics and political science – 1
Education – 307
Education administration – 33
Education and communications – 1
Education and Hebrew language – 1
Education and history – 2
Education and instruction – 16
Education and literature – 6
Education and sociology – 7
Education and the Bible – 7
Education assistant – 1
Education consultants perspectives course – 1
Education consulting – 1
Education consulting – 1
Education consulting – 90
Education consulting and Judaism – 1
Education in technology study programs and study systems – 1
Education instruction and consulting - 1
Education policy and administration – 3
Education systems administration – 13
Education/political science - 1
Education/Teaching – 2
Educational psychology – 3
Electrical and electronics engineering – 19
Electrical engineering – 29
Electrical technical engineer – 17
Electricity – 2
Electricity and electronics – 1
Electronics – 1
Electronics and electrical technical engineer – 25
Electronics engineering – 14
Electronics technical engineer – 25
Engineering – 5
English – 4
English – multi-program – 1
English course – 1
English literature – 3
Environmental science – 1
Exact sciences teacher – 1
Faculty of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences – 1
Faculty of Biology – 2
Faculty of Biomedical Engineering – 1
Faculty of Chemical Engineering – 4
Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering – 1
Faculty of Computer Science – 7
Faculty of Dentistry – 5
Faculty of Education – 31
Faculty of Electrical Engineering – 3
Faculty of Engineering – 4
Faculty of Health Sciences – 11
Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Management – 2
Faculty of Jewish Studies – 3
Faculty of Machine Engineering – 5
Faculty of Management – 9
Faculty of Materials Engineering – 1
Faculty of Mathematics – 1
Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science – 4
Faculty of Medicine – 13
Faculty of Social Sciences – 1
Faculty of the Arts – 4
Faculty of the Exact Sciences – 1
Faculty of the Humanities and Education – 1
Faculty of the Natural Sciences – 1
Faculty of the Social Sciences and Mathematics – 2
Faculty of Welfare and Health Studies – 7
Family and community – 3
Family counseling – 5
Family studies – 1
Fashion – 8
Fashion design – 1
Film and television – 11
Film and television technical engineer – 1
Finance – 3
Foreign policy – 1
Games – 11
Games and education – 1
Gender education – 4
General -6
General studies – 1
General studies – 15
General studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences – 7
General supplement – 2
Geography – 2
Geriatrics – 3
Government – 1
Group counseling – 3
Group counseling in drama – 1
Hair design – 2
Hair styling and design – 1
Health administration – 11
Health administration – 2
Health administration – 7
Health and environmental science – 1
Health science – 6
Health system – 1
Health systems administration – 55
Health systems administration, MA – 1
Hebrew language – 1
Hebrew, enterprise knowledge and information management - 1
High school – 3
History – 7
History of the Jewish nation – 3
Home consumer product studies – 1
Hotelier – 5
Human resources – 1
Humanities – 1
Humanities and social sciences – 2
Immunology – 2
Industrial administration and control – 7
Industrial and management engineering – 22
Industrial and management technician – 10
Industrial and management technician – 4
Industrial management and marketing – 3
Industry and management technical engineer – 53
Infant education – 42
Infant instruction – 8
Infants – 11
Infants/kindergarten teacher – 8
Informal education and – 13
Informal education and aneropology – 1
Informal education and Land of Israel studies – 1
Information studies – 2
Information systems engineering – 1
Insurance – 2
Integrated construction technical engineer – 1
Integrated intensive care course – 1
Interdisciplinary democracy studies – 1
Interdisciplinary studies – 7
Interdisciplinary studies in human resources, education – 1
Interdisciplinary studies in the Social Sciences – 15
Interior design – 1
International relations – 4
Investment portfolio consulting and management – 1
Israel studies – 3
Jewish studies – 1
Jewish studies – 8
Jewish studies Hebrew education – 3
Jewish Thought and Education - 3
Judaism – 5
Land appraisal – 1
Language education in a multicultural society – 1
Law – 63
Learning disabilities diagnosis and treatment – 2
Legal secretary – 1
Life sciences – 13
Linguistics – 6
Literature – 4
Literature and Bible – 5
Logistics – 4
Machine and mechatronics engineering – 3
Machine engineering – 39
Machine technician – 1
Machine technician – 2
Machinery technical engineer – 2
Management and marketing – 2
Managers program – 2
Marine and marine environment studies – 3
Marketing technical engineer – 1
Mass communications – 5
Master in Public Health – 1
Material engineering – 7
Mathematical education – 2
Mathematical education for primary school – 1
Mathematics – 4
Mechanical engineering – 1
Mechanics – 3
Mechatronics technical engineer – 1
Mediation – 5
Medical devices – 2
Medical devices operation – 3
Medical devices technical engineer – 2
Medical laboratory – 3
Medical laboratory science – 4
Medical technology – 2
Medication course – 1
Medicine – 18
Metalsmithing - 4
Microsoft technical engineer – 5
Midwives course – 1
Mobile communications – 1
Molecular biology – 3
Multidisciplinary department – 1
Multidisciplinary instruction in the humanities – 3
Music – 6
Music and special education – 1
Music teacher – 3
Narration – 1
Natural and life sciences – 2
Naturopathy and supplementary medicine – 1
Network management – 3
Network technical engineer – 2
NGO administration – 1
NGO administration – 5
Nursing – 142
Nursing certification – 4
Nursing certification supplement - 71
Occupational therapy – 6
Occupational therapy, MA – 1
Oncology course – 3
Organization consulting - 2
Organization consulting and development – 5
Other – 22
Parent counseling – 6
Parent group counseling – 12
Parent group counseling studies – 1
PC technician – 2
Pharmacology (thesis) – 1
Pharmacy – 4
Philosophy – 1
Photography, video, and imaging – 4
Physical education – 9
Physics/electro-optical engineering – 1
Physiotherapy – 2
Political science – 49
Political science and English – 1
Political science and internal auditing – 1
Political science and international relations – 3
Political science and public administration – 6
Practical nurse – 1
Practical social work – 3
Pre-academic course – 1
Premed – 1
Prep course – 2
Preventative medicine, Ph.D. – 4
Primary education – 1
Primary education – 1
Principal instruction 1
Products technician – 1
Professional consmetics – 4
Programming – 1
Psychodrama – 1
Psychological and social perspectives – 1
Psychology – 3
Psychology and education – 5
Psychotherapy – family and couples treatment – 1
Public administration – 17
Public administration and internal auditing – 1
Public administration policy – 3
Public and enterprise auditing – 1
Public auditing – 1
Public health – 7
Public health, clinical program M.Ph. – 1
Public health, MA – 1
Public policy – 13
Public policy and administration – 49
Public policy school - 8
Quality assurance – 1
Quality assurance and reliability – 1
Reflexology – 1
Registered nurses – 1
Retraining as a social worker – 3
School of Education – 14
School of Pharmacy – 1
School of Public Health – 2
Science teacher – 5
Science technology – 1
Security officers course – 1
Security studies – 3
Sex education – 13
Sexuality and intimacy – 1
Skills – 2
Social sciences – 48
Social sciences and education – 12
Social Sciences and Humanities Multidisciplinary – 12
Social sciences/social work – 1
Social work – 146
Social work school – 69
Social worker – 2
Society and government/criminology – 1
Society-politics – 2
Sociology – 4
Sociology and anthropology – 12
Sociology and anthropology – 2
Sociology and education – 1
Sociology and instruction – 1
Sociology, Political Science, and Communications - 1
Software engineering – 41
Software systems – 1
Software technical engineer - 15
Sound technical engineer – 2
Spatial biology – 1
Special education – 1
Special education – 1
Special education – 70
Special education – kindergarten through 6th Grade – 2
Special education for ages 6-21 – 3
Special education instruction – 7
Special education, kindergarten – 2
Sports coach – 1
Sports science – 1
Supplementary medicine – 2
Systems analysis – 1
Systems engineering – 2
Tax consulting – 1
Teaching – 58
Teaching certificate – 31
Teaching certificate in history – 1
Teaching certificate/education –31
Technical engineer – 66
Technological marketing – 2
Technology management – 2
Technology management and marketing – 2
Television and film communications – 3
Textiles and interior design – 2
Theater – 1
Thesis laboratory research – 3
To be completed – 3
Tourism – 3
Tourism and hotel studies – 2
Undergraduate laboratory worker – 1
Unknown – 36
Vehicle electronics – 1
Veterinary care – 1
Visual communications – 5
Visual communications – 8
Visual communications and graphic design – 1
Visual communications technical engineer – 1
Warehouse and systems administration – 1
X-ray machines – 1
Youth advancement – 3
Youth advancement and care – 24
Youth advancement and counseling – 6
Youth advancement program - 1

Hotelier – 5
Human resources – 1
Humanities – 1
Humanities and social sciences – 2
Immunology – 2
Industrial administration and control – 7
Industrial and management engineering – 22
Industrial and management technician – 10
Industrial and management technician – 4
Industrial management and marketing – 3
Industry and management technical engineer – 53
Infant education – 42
Infant instruction – 8
Infants – 11
Infants/kindergarten teacher – 8
Informal education and – 13
Informal education and aneropology – 1
Informal education and Land of Israel studies – 1
Information studies – 2
Information systems engineering – 1
Insurance – 2
Integrated construction technical engineer – 1
Integrated intensive care course – 1
Interdisciplinary democracy studies – 1
Interdisciplinary studies – 7
Interdisciplinary studies in human resources, education – 1
Interdisciplinary studies in the Social Sciences – 15
Interior design – 1
International relations – 4
Investment portfolio consulting and management – 1
Israel studies – 3
Jewish studies – 1
Jewish studies – 8
Jewish studies Hebrew education – 3
Jewish Thought and Education - 3
Judaism – 5
Land appraisal – 1
Language education in a multicultural society – 1
Law – 63
Learning disabilities diagnosis and treatment – 2
Legal secretary – 1
Life sciences – 13
Linguistics – 6
Literature – 4
Literature and Bible – 5
Logistics – 4
Machine and mechatronics engineering – 3
Machine engineering – 39
Machine technician – 1
Machine technician – 2
Machinery technical engineer – 2
Management and marketing – 2
Managers program – 2
Marine and marine environment studies – 3
Marketing technical engineer – 1
Mass communications – 5
Master in Public Health – 1
Material engineering – 7
Mathematical education – 2
Mathematical education for primary school – 1
Mathematics – 4
Mechanical engineering – 1
Mechanics – 3
Mechatronics technical engineer – 1
Mediation – 5
Medical devices – 2
Medical devices operation – 3
Medical devices technical engineer – 2
Medical laboratory – 3
Medical laboratory science – 4
Medical technology – 2
Medication course – 1
Medicine – 18
Metalsmithing - 4
Microsoft technical engineer – 5
Midwives course – 1
Mobile communications – 1
Molecular biology – 3
Multidisciplinary department – 1
Multidisciplinary instruction in the humanities – 3
Music – 6
Music and special education – 1
Music teacher – 3
Narration – 1
Natural and life sciences – 2
Naturopathy and supplementary medicine – 1
Network management – 3
Network technical engineer – 2
NGO administration – 1
NGO administration – 5
Nursing – 142
Nursing certification – 4
Nursing certification supplement - 71
Occupational therapy – 6
Occupational therapy, MA – 1
Oncology course – 3
Organization consulting - 2
Organization consulting and development – 5
Other – 22
Parent counseling – 6
Parent group counseling – 12
Parent group counseling studies – 1
PC technician – 2
Pharmacology (thesis) – 1
Pharmacy – 4
Philosophy – 1
Photography, video, and imaging – 4
Physical education – 9
Physics/electro-optical engineering – 1
Physiotherapy – 2
Political science – 49
Political science and English – 1
Political science and internal auditing – 1
Political science and international relations – 3
Political science and public administration – 6
Practical nurse – 1
Practical social work – 3
Pre-academic course – 1
Premed – 1
Prep course – 2
Preventative medicine, Ph.D. – 4
Primary education – 1
Primary education – 1
Principal instruction 1
Products technician – 1
Professional consmetics – 4
Programming – 1
Psychodrama – 1
Psychological and social perspectives – 1
Psychology – 3
Psychology and education – 5
Psychotherapy – family and couples treatment – 1
Public administration – 17
Public administration and internal auditing – 1
Public administration policy – 3
Public and enterprise auditing – 1
Public auditing – 1
Public health – 7
Public health, clinical program M.Ph. – 1
Public health, MA – 1
Public policy – 13
Public policy and administration – 49
Public policy school - 8
Quality assurance – 1
Quality assurance and reliability – 1
Reflexology – 1
Registered nurses – 1
Retraining as a social worker – 3
School of Education – 14
School of Pharmacy – 1
School of Public Health – 2
Science teacher – 5
Science technology – 1
Security officers course – 1
Security studies – 3
Sex education – 13
Sexuality and intimacy – 1
Skills – 2
Social sciences – 48
Social sciences and education – 12
Social Sciences and Humanities Multidisciplinary – 12
Social sciences/social work – 1
Social work – 146
Social work school – 69
Social worker – 2
Society and government/criminology – 1
Society-politics – 2
Sociology – 4
Sociology and anthropology – 12
Sociology and anthropology – 2
Sociology and education – 1
Sociology and instruction – 1
Sociology, Political Science, and Communications - 1
Software engineering – 41
Software systems – 1
Software technical engineer - 15
Sound technical engineer – 2
Spatial biology – 1
Special education – 1
Special education – 1
Special education – 70
Special education – kindergarten through 6th Grade – 2
Special education for ages 6-21 – 3
Special education instruction – 7
Special education, kindergarten – 2
Sports coach – 1
Sports science – 1
Supplementary medicine – 2
Systems analysis – 1
Systems engineering – 2
Tax consulting – 1
Teaching – 58
Teaching certificate – 31
Teaching certificate in history – 1
Teaching certificate/education –31
Technical engineer – 66
Technological marketing – 2
Technology management – 2
Technology management and marketing – 2
Television and film communications – 3
Textiles and interior design – 2
Theater – 1
Thesis laboratory research – 3
To be completed – 3
Tourism – 3
Tourism and hotel studies – 2
Undergraduate laboratory worker – 1
Unknown – 36
Vehicle electronics – 1
Veterinary care – 1
Visual communications – 5
Visual communications – 8
Visual communications and graphic design – 1
Visual communications technical engineer – 1
Warehouse and systems administration – 1
X-ray machines – 1
Youth advancement – 3
Youth advancement and care – 24
Youth advancement and counseling – 6
Youth advancement program - 1

Grants sorted by years:

1994/5 - 5

1995/6 - 11

1996/7 - 21

1997/8 - 80

1998/9 - 120

1999/00 - 139

2000/1 - 176

2001/2 - 230

2002/3 - 236

2003/4 - 270

2004/5 - 270

2005/6 - 258

2006/7 - 246

2007/8 - 212
2008/9 - 163
2009/10 - 130
2010/11 - 150
2011/12 - 102
2012/13 - 141
2013/14 -   73
2014/15 -   67
2015/16 -   92
2016/17 - 178
2017/18 - 138
2018/19 - 240
2019/20 - 306

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Total - 4,154

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Board Of Directors

Tsega Melaku

Chairperson, Journalist

Dr. Tsega Melaku was born in Ethiopia and immigrated to Israel at the age of 16 in 1984. Tsega studied at Bar Ilan University where she completed a BA in Political Science and Sociology. Following this, Tsega continued in academia and was one of the first Keren Hanan Aynor scholarship recipients while completing her MA in business at the Touro College in Jerusalem. She recently completed her PHd in Political Science and Journalism from the University of Adam Mickiewicz. In 2014, Tsega authored a book entitled Not in Our School which documents the racism she faced in her effort to have her children attend a better school. Along with many volunteer committee positions in government, journalism and culture, Tsega serves on Board of the Public Counsel of the Menachem Begin Legacy Centre. Tsega has had an active career in journalism for three decades and has served in various capacities including working for the Israeli Broadcasting Authority both in radio and on television. Tsega is particularly well known for having been both the first woman as well as the first Ethiopian to have directed the popular Israeli Hebrew radio station, Reshet Alef. Tsega has been involved in helping to promote the Ethiopian Israeli community for many years, and among her many projects, has served as the Chief Editor of Fana, an Ethiopian Israeli newspaper which is published in both Amharic and Hebrew. A strong believer in the importance of higher education in order to promote the Ethiopian community in Israel, Tsega has served on the board of directors of Keren Hanan Aynor since 1994, and began her position as Board Chairperson in 2008. Tsega is the mother of two sons, Emmanuel and Yonatan.

Sarah Aynor of Blessed Memory

Co-Founder, Honorary Chairperson

About Sarah Aynor

Sarah Aynor was born in Tel Aviv in 1925 and passed away in November 2016. She has dedicated her life to strengthening Jewish life in Israel and around the world. Following her graduation from Lewinsky Teachers Seminary, she spent two years in Shfea youth village as a teacher, was sent by the "mosad l’aliya Bet " to Marseilles France to absorb children in orphanages from North Africa and Europe on their way to the newly born State of Israel. She later established the Women’s Division at Keren Hayesod. Following her marriage to Hanan Aynor and as a mother of two, she served with him at various posts in Canada, US, Africa and Mexico. Following Hanan’s death, she founded and served as the driving force in turning the dream of assisting the newly arrived Ethiopians to acquire an academic degree and successfully become full Israeli citizens. Running the organization out of her home, Sarah became a matriarch to the students: supportive and encouraging, imbued with ideas and advice, all shared with an abundance of care and love. Sarah knew each student by name, knew their families, their field of study, their strengths and where each one could use a helping hand. This was true when there were five students and as true, when there were as many as 270 students.

Amos Aynor

CEO, On-Air Ltd.

As a child of a diplomat, educated in the US and with extensive managerial experience, Amos has broad international connections in Europe, Central, South and North America and is fluent in multiple languages. In 1982, Amos established and served as the CEO of ON-AIR Ltd, one of Israel’s largest broadcast-equipment rental companies, specializing in camera, sound, editing and satellite services for foreign and local TV production companies. He also worked with government offices and private companies to design and produce large commercial, reality, documentary and feature-films media projects. Amos was responsible for successfully managing extensive projects (up to $3 million annually) and has broad knowledge and experience in budgeting, operations, monthly and annual reports and achieving target goals.

Tzippy (Tzippora) Ron

CEO, The Tolerance Organization

Micha Feldman

Former Head of Jewish Agency in Ethiopia

Since 1970 Micha Feldmann has worked on immigration and absorption, and since 1982 he has devoted his life to bringing the Ethiopian Jews to Israel, and help them in their absorption into Israeli society. Prior to “Operation Salomon” Micha was the head of the Jewish Agency mission to Ethiopia and the Israeli consul there. He took part in "Operation Salomon" that in 1991 succeeded in bringing out of besieged Addis Ababa in one weekend 14,310 Ethiopian Jews. Micha speaks Amharic fluently and knows virtually every Ethiopian family in Israel. He is therefore known as “Abba Micha”. Currently Micha serves as the director of the Ethiopian department within SELAH - the Israel Crisis Management Center, an organization that takes care of New Immigrants from Ethiopia and the FSU, who were stricken by tragedy.

Shmuel Yilma

Senior Area Head, Community Development JDC Israel, Ashalim

Shmuel Yilma has served as the Senior Area Head of Community Development for JDC Israel since 2009. Prior to this role, Mr. Yilma served as as an Area Head responsible for the absorbtion of new immigrants. In addition, Mr. Yilma was one of the founders and first Director of a youth center in the South of Israel which provides a variety of services and resources to young people aged 18-30. Mr. Yilma holds a BA in Educational Management and an MA in Educational Counseling from Ben Gurion University. As an alumnus himself of Keren Hanan Aynor, Mr. Yilma felt it was important to give back the community and has served on the Board of Directors for almost 10 years. In addition to his service to the community, Mr. Yilma is a married father of 3 and resides in Modiin.

Zvi Ginosar

Businessman

Zvi is a Senior Hi Tech executive with 30 years of experience. He held business management positions in the Israeli Government (Finance Ministry) and private companies (Intel, Numonyx and Micron Technology) with focus on Commercial, Financial and Strategic areas. Currently engaged with multiple Israeli Hi Tech companies related to their strategic initiatives. Zvi is active in volunteering of governance work for Bezalel Academy of Art (Past) and Alyn Hospital (Current). Zvi joined the Keren Hanan Aynor Board of Directors in 2011. Zvi holds a BA in Economics and an MBA both from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He is married with 3 children and currently lives in Mevasseret Zion.

Yosef I. Abramowitz

CEO, Energiya Global Capital

Yosef I. Abramowitz has worked on behalf of Ethiopian aliya and klita for over 30 years, helped create the Ethiopian students association, organized the first activist conferences for the aliya, was held at gunpoint in northern Ethiopia, and served as #3 on the Atid Ehad Ethiopian Knesset list. He, along with D’vora Greisman, worked closely with Amb. Aynor in designing the global activist campaign that eventually led up to Operation Solomon. Yossi accompanied the Prime Minister on his recent visit to Ethiopia in his role as co founder of the solar industries in Israel and East Africa. Named by CNN as one of the top six Green Pioneers worldwide, Yossi won Israel’s Green Globe award in the Knesset and serves as CEO of Energiya Global, a solar developer. He is married to Rabbi Susan Silverman and they have five children, two of whom are Ethiopian. He can be followed at @Kaptainsunshine

Kobi Bendaluk

COE, InsurTechIsrael

Kobi Bendaluk is a Colonel in the Israeli Defence Forces and holds a Bachelors degree in social sciences and a Masters degree in Law. Kobi is the founder of Reshef, a company of the Migdal Insurance Agency which specialises in special risk insurance policies. Today, Kobi is the Executive Director of InsurTechIsrael . In previous years, Kobi served as a municipal board member of the Shoham Council, as the director of the Municipal committee and board member of the Planning and Building Committes. He also serves on the board of the NGO "Derech Eretz" a preparatory program for youth entering the IDF.

Shimon Solomon

Former Knesset member, Yesh Atid party

Born in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia, Solomon immigrated to Israel in 1980 as part of Operation Brothers. Between 2005 and 2007 he worked in the Israeli embassy in Addis Ababa, before becoming director of an immigrant absorption centre in Beersheba. He also worked as Director of Education at the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village, which is a living, learning, and healing community, home to 500 of the most vulnerable youth in Rwanda. He was one of the founders of the new Yesh Atid party prior to the 2013 elections, and was placed twelfth on the party's list, becoming a Knesset member as the party won 19 seats. Prior to the 2015 elections, he chose not to run for re-election.

Pnina Agenyahu

Director of Interfaces and Synergy Strategy, Planning and Content Unit, The Jewish Agency for Israel

Pnina Agenyahu is Senior Shlicha of The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington in partnership with The Jewish Agency. She previously served as director of the Hillel Center at Tel Aviv University, and has extensive experience in public speaking and teaching. In 2014, as Israel marked 66 years of independence with a tribute to women, Pnina was named by Haaretz as one of ‘66 influential Israeli women you should know’.

Zeev Kaso

Head of the Program for the Advancement of Ethiopian Students and the Development of Social Leadership at the Ono Academic College

Mr. Zeev Kaso, attorney at law is the Head of the Program for the Advancement of Students of Ethiopian Descent in Higher Education and the Development of Social Leadership that was founded 17 years ago at the Ono Academic College. The program was developed to create significant change among Israelis of Ethiopian descent. The over arching goal is the investment in academic education in an effort to assist in their full integration into the Israeli workforce by developing a core leadership in the community and in Israeli society as a whole.

Haggai Erlich

Haggai Erlich is professor emeritus at Tel Aviv University and an academic adviser at the Open University of Israel where he is the head of Middle Eastern History studies. He is the Landau Prize recipient for 2010 in African Studies.

Haim Confino

Business development

VP, CEO and Director at high-tech companies for 20 years. Prior to that, Confino worked for the Prime Minister’s Office for 20 years. He established and managed complex projects valued at tens of millions in third world countries. In 1989, he was Israel’s emissary to Ethiopia. He was involved in the political efforts to renew the relations between Israel and Ethiopia, help the Jews of Ethiopia immigrate to Israel and establish the embassy in 1990. In 1991, he took part in the planning and implementation of Operation Solomon. Afterward, he helped lay the foundation for relations with the new government. Between 1994-1997, Confino was the regional representative responsible for Ethiopia, among other areas. He assisted the embassies with immigration issues. In 2003, as part of his position at a high-tech company, he founded the Ethiopian passport project for the Ethiopian Ministry of Immigration and managed the connection with this customer on an ongoing basis until 2016. Confino is married, has 4 children and 4 grandchildren.

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Our Staff

Amy Dover

Director of Special Projects & International Relations Coordinator

Amy Dover is committed to the values of tikkun olam and education for social change and has practiced them both professionally and personally from a young age. In recent years, Amy founded "Simu Lev", an organization matching North American donors with non-profits in Israel. The vision arose following twenty years of professional experience in the field of non-formal education and volunteer work with social justice and international development organizations in Israel, Canada, Central America and West Africa. Amy has many years experience working in the educational milieu with marginalized populations, community programming, service learning, as well as a very deep and meaningful connection with the Ethiopian community in Israel. Amy holds a BA in English Literature and Communications Studies from York University and a MEd in Critical Pedagogy and Cultural Studies, including cultural memory practices from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. Additionally, Amy studied Phototherapy at the Naggar School of Photography, Media and New Music, Musrara Jerusalem and has worked in the therapeutic arena using photography, texts and theatre for the past nine years. Additionally she is a trained childbirth educator and facilitates private groups in Jerusalem. In 2000, Amy made Aliyah from Canada. She currently lives in Jerusalem with her husband and their four sons. She is very excited to be working with Keren Hanan Aynor as a Communications Officer.

Adi Ittelman

Website Management

Adi Ittelman has been maintaining the KHA website since 2012. He made Aliyah to Israel with his family in 1977. Adi holds a B.Sc. from Ben-Gurion University and an MBA from Tel-Aviv University. He lives in Aviel and teaches math in the Alona area.

Keren Moshe Choucron

Student Liason

Keren earned her BA in economics and book keeping from the University of Ariel. Alongside her role as student liaison at Keren Aynor, Keren volunteers for an organisation called "Paamonim" which helps families improve their financial lives. Keren is married and lives in a moshav just outside Jerusalem.

Michael Stoltz

U.S. Representative

Based in Chicago, Michael Stoltz recently joined KHA to help raise funds for our Ethiopian scholarship program and promote our organization and its mission in the United States and Canada. He has an extensive background in development work, communications, non-profit management and social media outreach. While living in Israel for 14 years, Michael served as a media aide in the Israeli Knesset and the Prime Minister’s Office and also headed global resource development for Ariel University. He holds a B.A. degree in History from Creighton University, a M.A. degree in Near Eastern Studies from New York University and also attended Tel Aviv University’s undergraduate/graduate overseas student program.

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