Absorption into Israeli society and integration into Israeli culture is trying for every immigrant, particularly for those coming from countries of distress.  For thousands of Ethiopian Jews, the Jewish Agency for Israel is providing the programs and assistance that are helping them transition to their lives in Israel, enabling them to fully integrate and acclimate to their new homeland.

For Ethiopian immigrants, the gaps between life in Ethiopia and Israel present significant educational, social, and personal challenges.  An estimated 75% of Ethiopian Israelis are marginalized by poverty, unemployment, and their inability to live independently.  Just as alarmingly, nearly one quarter of Ethiopian-Israeli teens do not complete high school—further perpetuating the cycle of inopportunity and disadvantage.

The Jewish Agency for Israel 's YESODOT (Heb: Foundations) program helps Ethiopian youngsters, from pre-school through 12th grade, achieve new levels of personal and academic success through education and social intervention.  YESODOT’s scholastic track focuses not only on Hebrew and Israeli-culture, but prepares students for Israel's educational system through inter-disciplinary workshops, mentoring, formal and informal educational programs, and learning enhancement opportunities. Activities take place in the supportive environment of Jewish Agency absorption centers — a venue in which the immigrants feel comfortable and familiar.