ETHIOPIAETHIOPIA

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Edited by Pnina falego Gaday

The Ethiopian Jews lived primarily in villages in the north and Northwest of The Ethiopian Jews lived primarily in villages in the north and Northwest of the country, far from their Christian neighbors.the country, far from their Christian neighbors.

Ethiopia

Simien Mountains near Gondar Many Jews live in this region

The Ethiopian Jews, also called the "Beta Israel" (House of Israel), termed "Falashas" The Ethiopian Jews, also called the "Beta Israel" (House of Israel), termed "Falashas" (The Outsiders) by their neighbors.(The Outsiders) by their neighbors.

A small town in Ethiopia

Jews in Ethiopia were separated from the Christian and Moslem communities Jews in Ethiopia were separated from the Christian and Moslem communities by their distinct way of life and religious customs. by their distinct way of life and religious customs.

The Kessim – (rabbis ,"Kohanim") were the top religious and spiritual leaders of the Jewish community.

Members of the community came to the Kessim for information related to religion, holidays, wedding ceremonies, divorce proceedings, burials, etc.

In their prayer they have always included visions of a peaceful Jerusalem and a hope to arrive there one day.

The central holy text of the Jews in Ethiopia was called the 'Orit'-Torah. The 'Orit' was the center of their lives and religion. The 'Orit' is made up of the Five Books of Moses, the Prophetic writings,and other writings such as Song of Songs and psalms.

The majority of Ethiopian Jews were farmers, but a smaller portion were traditional The majority of Ethiopian Jews were farmers, but a smaller portion were traditional craftsmen, working as tinsmiths and tailors.craftsmen, working as tinsmiths and tailors.

Traditional Ethiopian clothing is made from pure cotton. Most of the dresses are white Traditional Ethiopian clothing is made from pure cotton. Most of the dresses are white and are woven at home. The cotton is woven with many decorative colors and is and are woven at home. The cotton is woven with many decorative colors and is

distinguished by the intricate embroidery. The women were traditionally responsible for distinguished by the intricate embroidery. The women were traditionally responsible for preparing the cotton and embroidering designs.preparing the cotton and embroidering designs.

In Ethiopia the In Ethiopia the society was society was generally generally patriarchal with patriarchal with tasks divided tasks divided according to according to defined gender defined gender roles.roles.A hierarchical A hierarchical structure structure existed within existed within the family with the family with the husband the husband holding the holding the senior position senior position The wife was The wife was responsible for responsible for housework: housework: cooking, cooking, cleaning, cleaning, collecting water collecting water from the well, from the well, raising the raising the childrenchildren..

לקבץלקבץ נסנס ושאושא““ יחדיחד וקבצנווקבצנו גלותוינוגלותוינו

כנפותכנפות מארבעמארבע ברוךברוך, , לארצנולארצנו הארץהארץ נדחינדחי מקבץמקבץ’ ’ הה אתהאתה

" ." .ישראלישראל עמועמו מתוךמתוך ) )

1818 ( (תפילתתפילת

One of the core tenets of Ethiopian Jewish belief, prayer and day-today life was the One of the core tenets of Ethiopian Jewish belief, prayer and day-today life was the desire to return to "Zion" - to once again look upon those hills. desire to return to "Zion" - to once again look upon those hills.

Operation MosesOperation Moses thus began on thus began on November 21, 1984.November 21, 1984.running On the airplanerunning On the airplane

Refugees Refugees were bused were bused directly from directly from the Sudanese the Sudanese camps to a camps to a military military airport near airport near Khartoum. Khartoum. Under a Under a shroud of shroud of secrecy secrecy established established by a news by a news blackout, they blackout, they were then were then airlifted airlifted directly to directly to Israel.Israel.

New face: first steps on the holy land – Jews from Ethiopia getting out of the Hercules New face: first steps on the holy land – Jews from Ethiopia getting out of the Hercules airplane.airplane.

The journey from exile to redemption began…The journey from exile to redemption began…

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