A new project to train Bnei Menashe as firefighters in Israel
Carmel fire (photo: Hila Shaked)
In December 2010, northern Israel’s Carmel Forest suffered a major fire disaster. Over 9,000 acres were destroyed and 44 prison service officer cadets and their commanders lost their lives when their bus was caught in the inferno.
Government investigations following the blaze revealed that Israel was poorly prepared for such a tragedy, lacking both proper equipment and trained personnel. Indeed, the fire was extinguished only with the help of assistance sent from Greece, Turkey, Russia, The Netherlands and the U.S.
Following the fire, Israel has made a concerted effort to improve the quality of its firefighting operation, including plans to hire dozens of new firefighters. As part of the new recruitment campaign, Shavei Israel has submitted 30 candidates from the Bnei Menashe community to the Israel Fire and Rescue Services.
The Bnei Menashe possess great motivation and skills, but many have not yet found positions that allow them to express their full potential in Israel. Becoming firefighters represents a tremendous opportunity for these dedicated individuals.
Shalom and Sonia Manlun at their wedding
For Shalom Manlun, the prospect is doubly important. We wrote about Shalom’s wife Sonia last year. Sonia is one of the first Bnei Menashe to train to become a social worker. When her husband became temporarily disabled following an accident, Sonia found herself needing to both study for her exams and support her extended family. Shalom is one of the candidates for the firefighter positions. His acceptance as a cadet would transform the economic crisis that has threatened Sonia’s education.
Shavei Israel will be providing assistance to the Bnei Menashe candidates and will help them train for the required personal interviews as well as prepare for the psychometric exams (Israel’s version of the SAT tests in the United States), which are unknown in rural India.
After their initial training, new firefighter recruits generally serve as volunteers for their first year. Following that, the position comes with a good salary and excellent conditions.
The Bnei Menashe in the program are mainly from the Jerusalem area; the actual training will be in the north of the country (a real benefit for the Manluns, who live in the Galilee town of Ma’alot).
While we, of course, hope that all 30 Bnei Menashe candidates will be chosen, a minimum of 10 individuals must be accepted in order for the Fire and Rescue Services to provide easier conditions.
If you would like to help Shavei Israel boost the employment chances of these determined Bnei Menashe young men, we welcome your contributions. Please click here.