EAST BRUNSWICK – A member of Israel’s 20th Knesset, who also serves as chairman of the Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs Committee, will visit the area this month.
Dr. Avraham Neguise was born in Ethiopia, where he worked as a shepherd before immigrating to Israel in 1985.
He earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in social work from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from Sha’arei Mishpat College, a master’s degree in Initiatives and Renewal from the Swinburne University of Technology and a PhD in Education from the University of Sussex.
Neguise founded and served as director-general of South Wing to Zion, where he represented Ethiopian immigrants, and until today, he is known for leading initiatives to bring other Ethiopian Jewry to Israel. He was also a co-founder of the Ethiopian National Project (ENP), a partnership between the Government of Israel, Diaspora Jewry and the Ethiopian-Israeli community that promotes successful integration of Ethiopian Jews through education, risk-prevention and empowerment programs.
As a member of the Knesset, he focuses on social issues, including helping new immigrants integrate into Israeli society and providing support and education for youth in underprivileged neighborhoods.
Neguise will participate in events at 7 p.m. on May 12 at Congregation Bnai Israel in Rumson, at 9:45 p.m. on May 14 at Young Israel of East Brunswick and at 9:30 a.m. on May 15 at Orthodox Forum at Ahavas Achim in Highland Park.
His speaking engagements extend to members of the Jewish and non-Jewish community, including a local chapter of the NAACP and legislators on the state and federal level. Additionally, Neguise will participate in a special ceremony marking Israel’s Independence Day.
“I hope to inspire our community by hearing the incredible opportunities that Israel affords to people of all backgrounds,” said Rabbi Jay Weinstein of Young Israel of East Brunswick and president of the Rabbinic Association in the Heart of NJ, who organized and planned Neguise’s trip. “We don’t often hear about the diversity in population of the citizens of the State of Israel. This is a chance to meet a leader and hero of the Ethiopian-Israeli community with a truly remarkable story which speaks so strongly to the core of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.”
Neguise’s trip is funded by a grant from the Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey.