By 1985, almost 2,500 Ethiopian Jews, who call themselves Beta Israel, had settled in Israel, with more than 1,600 in permanent housing in 2 major areas. This mass immigration caused strains on Israeli society and on the immigrants. The Bernard van Leer Foundation funded the Community and Education Project for Beta Israel to assist in the absorption of Ethiopian Jews into Israeli society. Programs sponsored by the project included supervised children's play groups, morning and afternoon child care services, a homework assistance program, a home visiting program, and various adult education classes. The project received support from municipal social service agencies, but its relations with the Ethiopian community were hampered by internal differences in the community. Factors that affected the project included the absence of communal institutions in the Ethiopian community, and various community demands. As the project evolved, it developed an increased knowledge of the community served, professionalization of staff, and routinization of activities. Community changes that occurred during the course of the project included an increased autonomy of the immigrant community and its members, improved child nutrition, and greater independence for women. A review of the project considers funding issues and the moral dilemma that arises when a developmental agent becomes involves with another culture. A bibliography of 31 items is provided. (BC)