Michal Avera Samuel is the Senior Community Emssary (Shlicha) At Jewishcolumbus Org.
A social leader and educational activist advocating for the successful integration of Ethiopian Israelis, Michal has over 18 years of experience in directing educational projects.
She has served as Fidel’s Executive Director since 2011. Michal has an MA in Educational Counseling from Haifa University and is regularly invited to lecture on the Ethiopian Israeli community’s history, culture and absorption at academic institutions and schools across Israel.
Michal was born in Gondar, the youngest of nine children, and made aliyah with her family in 1984 as part of Operation Moses via Sudan.
She joined the Fidel Association in the year 2000 and served as director of professional training, PR, community development and deputy director prior to being appointed executive director in 2011.
Michal serves on the Government of Israel’s prestigious Round Table Panel on Social Issues bringing together leaders from the public, private and non-profit sectors.
Michal’s vast experience includes serving as a research assistant to MK Naomi Blumenthal in the Knesset’s immigration committee and as spokesperson and advisor to the Scholarship Fund for Ethiopian Jews (SFEJ), Boca Raton, Florida. In 2004, Michal was honored to present on the absorption and integration of the Ethiopian Israeli community at the International Lion of Judah conference in Washington DC and in 2000, was chosen by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to represent Israel at the Epcot Millennium Village pavilion in Orlando.
Beyond her dedication to advancing the Ethiopian-Israeli community, Michal serves as a Board Member of the Israel Center for Educational Innovation and volunteers at “Women to Women”, Haifa, supporting victims of domestic violence.
She also a member of The Government of Israel’s prestigious Round Table Panel on Social Issues bringing together leaders from the public, private and non-profit sectors.
In 2019 she was honored from the Rayah Fund and was host at the community in Pittsburgh
As a role model , it is very important for her to encourage women to reach senior positions in the private and public sector.