Ethiopian-Israeli community in Rishon LeZion — 2026 guide

Rishon LeZion — community spread across the city

~8,000 Ethiopian-Israeli community members live in Rishon LeZion (CBS 2024) — Israel's fourth-largest city. Heaviest concentration: Merchavia (~3,200) and Nahalat Yehuda (~2,400).

Key organisations

IAEJ Rishon LeZion — Rothschild 44, tel 03-964-4433. Legal advice, aliyah support, employment rights.
City Multicultural Centre — Herzl 2. Ethiopian-community-specific programmes.
Beta Israel Synagogue Rishon — HaBanim 8, Merchavia. Spiritual and community hub.

Health services

Tene Briut Rishon LeZion — Kaplan 8 (inside Clalit). Sun–Thu 08:00–19:00. Hebrew, Amharic, English. HbA1c diabetes screening available.

Employment

Employment Service Rishon — Jabotinsky 60, tel 03-952-8888. Large regional centre; Amharic counselling by appointment.

ORT Israel Rishon — vocational tracks: computing, electrical, mechanical. Ethiopian-student programmes.

Absorption

BTL Rishon LeZion — Herzl 14, tel 03-952-6600. Sun–Thu 08:30–13:00.

Sigd

Regional Sigd ceremony at Gan HaPa'amon amphitheatre, organised by IAEJ Rishon and city hall.