Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Director-general of the Ethiopia National Project, Roni Akale, will enlighten the Central Florida community about the Ethiopian-Israeli community and its progress in assimilating into Israeli culture. ENP works to ensure the full integration of Ethiopian-Israelis into Israeli society, in a unique and special partnership with global supporters, the Goverment of Israel and the Ethiopian-Israeli community itself.

At informative meeting, Akale will discuss ENP’s endeavors in Ethiopian-Israelis education, empowerment and impact, and wartime response. The event will be held on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. at Decision Tactical, 430 Town Center Cir., Sanford.

Like the thousands of others that overcame the hardships of Aliyah during Operation Moses, Dessie (Roni) Akale crossed Ethiopia by foot, walking 800 kilometers, and then waited in Sudan until arriving in Jerusalem in December 1983 at the age of 20.

He served as a mental health officer in the Israel Defense Forces. He played a critical role during Operation Solomon in May 1991, applying his personal and professional experience to assist newcomers on this historical airlift when 14,325 Ethiopian Jews were transported to Israel in 36 hours.

Akale was the director of Ethiopian Job Placement and Counseling within the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption and was the Ministry’s manager of the nation-wide network of moked klitah service centers for immigrants, overseeing 21 cities and towns. In addition, he has carried out a wide variety of volunteer projects and has served in leadership positions as part of his broader humanitarian career. From 2008 to 2010 Roni served as chairman of the Representatives of Ethiopian Jewish Organizations in Israel. 

The event is free and open to the community. Light refreshments will be available. For more information, contact Keith Dvorchik at keithdvorchik@gmail.com.