The Levaot School of Arad, is host to a wonderful group of Ethiopian women who meet each week to practice their long-standing tradition of weaving and embroidery.

The experimental school of Levaot leads a unique model of education called "Community Communication". The school creates a dialogue between the community and the students' world. The learning environment is not confined to the school and the classroom. It is open to all aspects and cultures within the community and is embraced by the students and staff. The children are encouraged to research all facets of the society and encouraged to broaden their horizons. Rachel Abromson, the Principal of the school: "The school maintains an open and constant dialogue with the various influences of the community as they affect the students' world." This dialogue was the beginning of the connection between the Ethiopian women and their artwork and the school. Several students researched the Ethiopian artwork for a school project and it was then decided to bring this unique and wonderful culture into the school.

Ethiopian artwork is a functional and useful craft, which includes: pottery, clothing and woven items used by the community everyday. The tradition of the art, is indicative to the Jewish community and is passed down from mother to daughter over the generations. The Ethiopian women weave baskets for storage, using straw and branches from trees. They are painted in traditional colors of red, blue and green. The designs used are generally geometrical. The clothing, are generally white, which they embroider with intricate designs. Men of the community also participate in the embroidery.

This wonderful program is fully sponsored by Partnership 2000 of Arad, through an over and above donation from Gerald and Claire Weinstein of the Atlantic Cape May Federation. A group of twenty Ethiopian women (three men also participate) meet once a week in the arts and crafts class in the school. They are a quiet group of gentle women who chat while weaving and embroidering with great care. They work beautifully and enjoy their time together. Aviva Segal, a teacher at the Levaot School, has embraced the group and guides them with warmth and patience. The women produce a large array of artwork, which is frequently sold at fairs and to visitors who come to witness their group at work. The supplies are funded entirely by the Partnership 2000 of the Jewish Agency as well as the small stipend given to the women.

A special thanks should be given to Hanna Addanani, a lovely Ethiopian woman, who was responsible for making this project a reality!

Another amazing part of the program is a class of students, who are taught by two Ethiopian women. The children learn each week about Ethiopian art and culture. This part of the program was the direct result of the school's wonderful learning process, which emphasizes the study of all cultures of the community. As such, a strong, lasting bond is formed between the students and members of the Ethiopian culture.

Malcah is a divorced mom of three: "this program helps me remember the past, what it was like for us in Ethiopia."

Rachel, a mother of five put it best: "with all the hardship we go through in our daily lives, it's important to smile and try new things."

Iyyar 5764 - May 2004