Organization Name: Domari Society of Gypsies in Jerusalem
Main Office Location: Shuafat, Jerusalem
Mission and Context: The Domari Center seeks to elevate the status of Dom women and children in Jerusalem, transforming them from illiterate beggars to self supporting educated and empowered citizens. By strengthening and empowering the weakest group in Jerusalem, we are benefiting the entire society, since a society is only as strong as its weakest link. One of the key efforts of the Domari Center is to empower the women of the community to be self-sufficient. By helping Dom women acquire skills that generate income and improve their self esteem, the program will have an impact on the economic and educational wellbeing of their families.

Neighborhoods Working in: Shuafat, Old City.

Director: Amoun Sleem
Contact: email – domarisociety@gmail.com
Website: http://www.wix.com/domarisociety/domari-society-website

Wishlist for the Domari Society of Gypsies in Jerusalem

These are some of our dreams to see accomplished in the next ten years; some of them are fairly realistic, some less so. Nonetheless, they all reflect our desire to see a better life for the Dom of Jerusalem, and our commitment to making it happen.

Literacy in Arabic – consistent courses offered every year for children, adults (especially women), and elders, in reading and writing.

Employment Courses – consistent courses offered every year, in conjunction with the literacy initiatives, teaching employable skills like catering, hairdressing and cosmetics, sewing, jewellery-making, and self-marketing. By doing this we hope to drastically decrease the (currently incredibly high) unemployment rate among Jerusalem Dom.

Preservation Programs – to help renew interest in Gypsy culture and preserve the traditions which are now dying out: we are hoping for classes in the Domari language (currently spoken only by the elders of the community), recordings of the oral folklore and traditions of the Dom (again, remembered only by the elders), classes in Domari music and dance, and programs to promote pride in Gypsy heritage.

Gypsy Kindergarten – a program for young children which will enrich their early childhood experience, while allowing young mothers to get out of the house and not be tied to their children. With enough funding, this could eventually be expanded into a self-sufficient educational center attached to the Domari Society, or even a separate Dom school, to allow Dom children to receive an education in a way that affirms their heritage and encourages them to succeed instead of the discrimination and discouragement that they currently receive in the municipal schools.

Gypsy Café – containing a small gift shop for Gypsy jewellery and handicrafts, and a restaurant serving Gypsy food, allowing Gypsy women to use their skills in catering. This can be a popular destination for tourists and visitors to learn about the Dom and support them, and for locals to enjoy themselves and s