Page 10-THE NEWS-February, 1985
Background On Ethiopian Jews
“Thus saith the Lord: I will even gather you from the people and assemble you out of the
countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the Land of Israel/'
EZEKIEL XI: 17
For more than 2,000 years,
a community of devout Jews
has endured in the highleinds
of Ethiopia. They call
themselves “Beta Yisrael”
(the House of Israel), and
believe themselves to be
descendants of King Solomon
and the Queen of Sheba. Some
sources maintain that they
were originally part of the lost
tribe of Dan which separated
from Moses on the journey to
Israel. Others believe they
were migrants from Yemen or
that they fled ancient Israel
after the destruction of the
First Temple. Despite the
uncertainty over their exact
origin, their Jewishness has
been confirmed by the highest
rabbinic authorities. Over the
generations, these Ethiopiem
Jews have held firmly to their
Jewish beliefs and maintained
a compelling desire to return
to Zion.
From the 10th to the 16th
century, Jews in Ethiopia
formed an independent
kingdom with a population
reaching 500,000. But in 1632,
their independence was crush
ed, their land confiscated, and
they were reduced to second-
class citizenship. They became
targets of severe persecution
and of anti-Semitism which
continues today.
Ethiopia is one of the
poorest countries on earth. Its
devastating feimine, which has
gained worldwide attention,
has been mounting for nearly
ten yeeirs. The average life
span in Ethiopia is 36 years,
and the country suffers from
an infant mort^ity rate of 15
percent. Consequently, the
Jews, along with other minori
ty communities, have found
themselves “the poorest of the
poor” in the country.
Aliyah of numbers of Ethio
pian Jews did not become
possible until after the revolu
tion in 1979, when disorganiz
ed conditions permitted move
ment within the country.
At present, over 10,000 have
reached Israel. Once there,
Ethiopian immigrants
undergo a difficult and costly
absorption program con
ducted by the Jewish Agency.
Numerous health, cultural
and educational gaps must be
bridged as they make the tran
sition to modern Israeli
society.
The comprehensive resettle
ment, relief and absorption
program for Ethiopian Jews
have been an ongoing priority
of the Israeli government and
the Jewish Agency since the
1970s.
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Photo/Richard Lobell
At Jewish Agency absorption centers, kindergartens and
primary classes introduce Ethiopian Jewish children to rich new
world of educational opportunity.
After completing ^ 12-month initial absorption program, these
Ethiopian Jews will build a new life for themselves in Israel. Ab
sorption of new immigrants is a primary responsibility of the
Jewish Agency f(pr Israel, supported by UJA/community
campaigns.
Photos/Richard Lobell
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Photo/Richard Lobell
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