By ILLANAH RESPES | Jewish Community Voice

Speaking fluent Hebrew with an English translator by her side, Hadar Sahalo recalled her journey from Ethiopia to Israel 25 years ago. For Ethiopian Jews, making this pilgrimage is taught at an early age and returning to the homeland is a dream waiting to be fulfilled.

At age 15, Hadar and several others, including her brother and cousin, secretly organized a group to depart for Israel. After trusting a guide to take them through the Sudan desert in the direction of Israel, the guide disappeared, stealing some of their money and leaving the group lost.

Fearing robbers who were known to attack wanderers, they sewed what money they had left into their clothes. When robbers attacked, Hadar managed to escape, leaving her cousin behind. Hadar thanked God for allowing her to make it through, but felt guilty thinking of the dreadful fate of her cousin.

Hadar eventually made it to safety; however, she had lost the group, including her brother. Arriving in Israel, she resided at an absorption center, run by the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), an overseas partner of the Jewish Federation. Two years later, she reunited with her brother in Israel.

Five years after Hadar successfully was absorbed, she was asked by JAFI to serve as an ambassador to new Ethiopian Jews making aliyah. On her first day, Hadar received a list of people intending to make aliyah. On that list was her cousin’s name with the name of a son.

“My heart sank at that moment. I never thought in my mind I would absorb her. It took time to rebuild my soul again and recover from the shock,” said Hadar.

Hadar learned that her cousin also had a daughter who was left behind in Ethiopia. She informed the Jewish Agency. Israeli intelligence got involved. A year later, the girl was reunited with her family.

“It was a complete circle and gave me power to continue,” said Hadar.

Hadar is still employed by JAFI and is now a “house mother” for 350 families at the Mevasseret Zion Absorption Center outside of Jerusalem. It is the largest absorption center in the country, housing over 1,200 Ethiopian Jews. Here, adults learn Hebrew, attend enrichment workshops on topics such as hygiene, employment, childcare and Israeli society. The children attend school and become involved in after-school programs.

Ethiopian Jews come from a country where people live in huts made of sticks and straw. Hadar helps to furnish their new apartments, teaches them how to clean, how to use a washing machine, how to read a bill and leads them into the transition to their new lives.

Funds raised by the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey Annual Campaign play an important role in bringing Jews from throughout the world to Israel and helping them become part of the Israeli mainstream. You can help ensure that the life-enriching programs and services provided by the Jewish Agency continue to help Jews worldwide by making a contribution to the 2009 Jewish Federation Annual Campaign. Donate online at www.jewishsouthjersey.org or call 751-9500, ext. 214. .