In 2022 The Friends of the Beta Israel opened a community center in Debra Birhan. The location is where the majority of the Beta Israel community of N. Shewa Ethiopia live. The building has a large meeting room, kitchen, classroom, office, several bedrooms, and a courtyard. Outside a large play yard has recently been built.

The Center serves the local Beta Israel community and the fifteen Gadams or hidden synagogue are located in the region. Gadams are located in remote areas of Ethiopia and are the spiritual center of the Beta Israel community. Their leader is called Aba. The Gadams serve as a place where elderly members of the community can live as well as orphans. They are self-sustaining, on gardens and some have grist mills. They have no electricity or running water. The friends of the Beta Israel have been improving their lives by installing solar power and improving their farming techniques. The Abas use the community center as a meeting place, and an anchor for support for their Gadams.

The Beta Israel community use the community center to celebrate Jewish holidays. 

The Community Center serves as a place of education. Volunteers teach English after schools and during the summer. In partnership with Moishe House we will soon begin Jewish education remotely. A large screen TV and camera have been installed with high-speed internet. However, the internet has been shut off in N. Shewa by the government because of the civil war.

Because of the civil war in Ethiopia Beta Israel refugees have come to the community center from other parts of Ethiopia for security and help. Staff are finding shelter, providing food for these refugees. They are now helping these refugees earn a living, mainly by retraining them to work in the crafts, like weaving, pottery, and metal work.



Funds are needed to maintain the community center, for rent, staff, food, and security.