Experiencing Ethiopia with Entwine

posted October 10, 2025 by Or Gibly, Marion Lemesh Fellowship Recipient

My name is Or Gibly, I’m 29 years old from Israel. I served eight years in the Israeli Navy as an officer, graduating from the Naval Academy and later becoming Deputy Commander of the largest corvette, the SAAR 6. Today, I am the co-founder of Edventure.il, an educational startup with the ambition to give every K-12 student in the world access to high-quality education tailored to their individual way of learning. 

The Ethiopia mission was my very first interaction with JDC Entwine, and I am proud to share my experience as a Marion Lemesh Fellow. 

Discovering that Arevut is Global 

On July 7th, 18 strangers arrived in Ethiopia with only one thing in common: our Jewish identity. We had a packed schedule, and most of us thought we knew what to expect. On the very first night, however, we gathered for an informal dinner, and something special happened, the connection between us was immediate. 

As an Israeli, I’m used to quickly finding common ground with other Israelis. But here, across nationalities and backgrounds, I found myself in deep conversation with new people I had just met. It felt completely natural, like family. That night was my first glimpse of how Jewish community and values transcend borders. 

Over the next days, we visited JDC’s work across Ethiopia: their medical programs, agricultural initiatives, and development projects. At first, I was surprised that we weren’t meeting Jewish communities directly. But soon I realized something much deeper. This was Arevut in action. 

Arevut—mutual responsibility—is one of the most important values in Jewish culture. We grow up hearing the phrase: “Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh LaZeh” (“All Jews are responsible for one another”). But what I saw in Ethiopia showed me that this responsibility extends beyond Jews alone. The JDC embodies a broader vision: Jews taking responsibility for humanity. 

Dr. Rick Hodes – Living Arevut 

One of the most inspiring encounters was with Dr. Rick Hodes, JDC’s medical director in Ethiopia. Originally from the U.S., he came to Ethiopia for a short mission nearly 40 years ago and never left. For four decades, he has dedicated his life to building medical systems, treating patients, and giving people hope. 

Dr. Hodes could have returned to a comfortable life in the U.S. at any time. Instead, he chose to stay. For me, he is the perfect example of Arevut: being responsible, not because you have to, but because you can. 

We spent Shabbat dinner in his home, where he welcomed us with warmth and created a sense of family. Around the table, it wasn’t about religion alone, it was about belonging. Singing “Shalom Aleichem” together, I felt the same unity I used to feel on my navy ship, where 70 crew members would gather every Friday night to share Shabbat dinner as one family. In Ethiopia, that same feeling of family expanded to include people from all backgrounds. 

Doing is Belonging 

Another powerful moment came when we visited a JDC agricultural project. We were invited to plant coffee trees alongside the local community. At first, it seemed symbolic. But when I knelt down to plant, I realized how important it was to do it exactly as the locals did. 

For me, true connection comes from action: getting your hands dirty, doing the work side by side. Planting coffee wasn’t just about agriculture; it was about dignity, livelihood, and hope. Communities are built when people gather around meaningful work, and JDC understands that. They don’t just provide aid—they create conditions for communities to flourish. 

What I Learned 

I am grateful to the Lemesh family for making this opportunity possible for me. Looking back to that first night with my group, I now see how the entire week revealed the greatness of Jewish community and values. Jewish organizations like JDC are not only serving Jews, but are guided by Jewish values (Arevut, Kavannah, Assiyah) to strengthen communities everywhere. 

Ethiopia is only one example, but it showed me that Jewish responsibility is larger than “Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh LaZeh.” It is also: “Jews are responsible to the communities in which they live.” 

This journey opened my eyes to the global power of Jewish action. I discovered a world of Jewish organizations and individuals who unite communities, spread values, and build bridges of responsibility. I am proud to be part of this movement. Our role is not only to keep our own community strong, but also to share our values with the world, to unite people, strengthen communities, and remind each person that they are part of something greater: the Jewish people, and the human family.  

 

About the Marion Lemesh Fellowship

Marion Lemesh’s family has a deep connection and appreciation for JDC’s work. Marion’s parents were Holocaust survivors, (serving as a soldier in the Red Army and as a Partizan) and met each other in a JDC-supported Displaced Person’s Camp in Austria in the aftermath of World War II. Marion’s father worked for the JDC in a variety of roles including as driver and mechanic. JDC’s life-changing job opportunities helped her parents get back on their feet and provided the necessary support to start a family. Shortly after Marion was born, the family moved to the United Kingdom to rebuild their lives.

Marion is remembered as fiercely independent and devoted to the care of those she loved, having lived a life of the values which she most represented: a commitment to education, personal responsibility, freedom, travel, and tzedakah. The Fellowship in memory of Marion Lemesh z”l is designed to strengthen links between communities by providing young adults the experience to travel, learn, and explore the world in an impactful and meaningful way.