Click Here: The Incredible Story of Ethiopian Jews and Their Journey to Israel
In 2023, an estimated 1,500 Ethiopian Jews are set to make the journey to Israel, with generous support from the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ). A sponsored flight for Ethiopian Jews is slated for March 30, where we eagerly anticipate welcoming them to their long-awaited homeland on behalf of all who champion this significant moment.
Upon arrival, these new Ethiopian immigrants will have the heartwarming opportunity to reunite with family members whom they have been separated from for extended periods, stretching over two decades in some cases. Danielle Mor of the Jewish Agency poignantly noted, “Tragically, many have endured years of separation from their siblings, parents, and even their own children.”
Spanning over two millennia, Ethiopian Jews, also known as Beta Israel, have confronted formidable challenges including religious persecution, discrimination, oppression, and violence. Despite enduring these adversities, they have steadfastly preserved their Jewish heritage and forged a resilient community.
Ethiopian lore holds that Menelik, the son of the Queen of Sheba, was born in Ethiopia and journeyed to Jerusalem to receive spiritual guidance from King Solomon, who urged him to propagate the Jewish faith in Ethiopia. According to this tradition, King Solomon entrusted Menelik with a Torah scroll to disseminate Biblical Judaism among the Ethiopian populace.
Around 500 BC, a group of ancient Israelites sought refuge in Ethiopia to escape religious intolerance, giving rise to what would eventually become the “Beta Israel” community. Isolated from other Jewish factions, they developed a distinctive culture, blending Jewish practices with Ethiopian customs over the centuries. Despite enduring immense hardships, they steadfastly maintained their faith and communal ties.
In 1973, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the esteemed chief Sephardi rabbi of Israel, pronounced the Ethiopian Jewish community as Bnei Israel or “Sons of Israel” in adherence to Jewish law, enabling their significant migration to Israel.
Deviating from mainstream Jewish practices, the Beta Israel adhere to their own unique form of Judaism, rooted in Torah teachings while eschewing the Talmud. Their spiritual practices reflect a blend of Jewish tenets and Ethiopian traditions, shaped by centuries of seclusion.
Throughout history, the Beta Israel confronted discrimination, persecution, and violence under various regimes, with Ethiopia’s dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam subjecting them to brutal repression and human rights violations. Fleeing from their homeland, many sought asylum in neighboring nations to escape persecution.
In the 1980s, “Operation Moses” was launched by Israel to rescue Ethiopian Jews facing persecution, facilitating their flight to Israel. Despite perilous journeys rife with hardships, thousands bravely embarked on the path to reunite with their brethren in Israel, with many achieving success in various fields such as medicine, science, and the military, while preserving their rich cultural heritage.
Although a significant number were able to immigrate to Israel during the emergency airlift of “Operation Solomon” in 1991, not all Beta Israel could partake in these mass Aliyah airlifts, leaving many yearning for the day when they could finally embrace the dream of reaching the Promised Land.
