African-Israeli Splash

Published on April 4, 2013

When Yityish Aynaw emigrated from Ethiopia to Israel at age 12, she was thrust into an Israeli classroom. An orphan lacking Hebrew skills, Aynaw says she relied on other kids and her own sheer ambition to get through.

First Miss Israel of Ethiopian descent to dine with Obama

Published on March 14, 2013

Yityish Aynaw, the first Miss Israel of Ethiopian descent, has been invited to meet President Obama at a dinner hosted by President Shimon Peres.

East Africans, American clinch six top spots in Jerusalem race

Published on March 1, 2013

East African runners and a U.S. Air Force captain won the six top spots in the annual Jerusalem marathon, which drew over 20,000 participants from 52 nations.

Tu B’Shvat all year + VIDEO

By Klaudia Klimek
Published on February 15, 2013

IDF to tackle Ethiopian troops’ adjustment problems

Published on February 8, 2013

A new IDF unit will work on integrating Ethiopian recruits, who are over-represented in army prisons.

Israeli officials order halt to underhanded contraception of Ethiopian women

Published on January 28, 2013

Following a TV report alleging that Ethiopian Israeli women were being given contraceptive shots against their will, Israel’s Health Ministry has ordered physicians to put a stop to the practice.

Report: Coerced contraception behind 50 percent decline in Ethiopian-Israeli birth rate

Published on December 11, 2012

Israeli and Jewish aid officials are denying an Israeli TV report alleging that Ethiopian immigrant women have been coerced into taking contraceptive shots.

In a single day, Ethiopian immigrants make aliyah—and are thrust into a war zone

Published on November 19, 2012

The explosion occurred close enough to Stesyahu Alema to shake his apartment, where he sat with his wife and two of his five children.

Ariela’s legacy gives others direction, purpose

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Published on September 19, 2012

Aviva Dese believes that without the Ariela Foundation, she’d probably be back in Nazareth Ilit, the factory town in the Galilee where she grew up, maybe with a low-paying assembly-line job, or maybe still wondering, like so many of her friends, what to do with her life.

Ethiopian-Israeli Jews, mistaken for African migrant workers, feel racism’s pain

Published on June 4, 2012

When violent riots against African migrant workers erupted in south Tel Aviv recently, a mob attacked Hanania Wanda, a Jew of Ethiopian origin, mistaking him for a Sudanese migrant worker.

Ethiopian immigrants can operate protest tent, court rules

Published on April 25, 2012

Israelis of Ethiopian descent can keep operating a protest tent outside the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem, Israel's Supreme Court ruled.

Ethiopian emigres hold model seders

Published on April 3, 2012

Ethiopian immigrants to Israel held model seders in absorption centers throughout the country in preparation for their first Passover in Israel.

New Haggadahs: Reform version, novelists’ take and Ethiopian flavor

Published on March 28, 2012

Leading a seder for the first time this year? There’s an app for that.

Israel taps first Ethiopia-born envoy

Published on February 29, 2012

Israel has appointed its first Ethiopia-born ambassador. The appointment of Belaynesh Zevadia as Israel's envoy to Ethiopia was announced Tuesday.

Israel to increase number of Ethiopian immigrants

Published on February 28, 2012

Israel will increase the number of immigrants from Ethiopia for the next several months after bringing in many fewer than it had promised. Some 1,000 Falash Mura, Ethiopians whose ancestors converted from Judaism to Christianity, will be brought to Israel over the next four months, about 250 per month.

Ethiopian named to Israel’s Council for Highter Education

Published on February 15, 2012

An Ethiopian immigrant to Israel, who serves as the director of Tel Aviv University, is the first Ethiopian Jew appointed to Israel's Council for Higher Education.

Thousands protest discrimination against Ethiopian Israelis

Published on January 18, 2012

Thousands of protesters demonstrated in Jerusalem against racism and discrimination against Ethiopians in Israel.

Ethiopian Israelis demonstrate against discrimination

Published on January 11, 2012

Hundreds of Israelis of Ethiopian descent and their supporters protested in the southern Israeli community of Kiryat Malachi against housing discrimination.

Memorial to Ethiopians to be built on Mount Herzl

Published on November 30, 2011

A memorial to Ethiopian Jews who died en route to Israel will be established on Mount Herzl.

Ethiopian aliyah hindered by overload at Israeli absorption centers

Published on October 6, 2011

It’s a typical Friday morning in Israel’s largest absorption center: A handful of local residents, all immigrants from Ethiopia, mill about examining wares for sale at a small, unofficial souk.

Angelina Jolie’s Tattoos.

By Julia Bendis
Published on May 15, 2011

Ethiopians to hold large seders in Israel

Published on April 13, 2011

Some 5,500 Ethiopian immigrants will celebrate the seder together in 16 absorption centers throughout Israel. About 1,000 of the new Ethiopian immigrants have arrived in recent months and will celebrate their first Passover in Israel, according to the Jewish Agency for Israel.

Police, protesters clash near Israeli Embassy in Ethiopia

Published on March 30, 2011

Dozens were injured and arrested at a demonstration outside the Israeli Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Some 80 demonstrators claiming Jewish heritage were arrested and about the same number were injured as they protested outside the embassy demanding the right to immigrate to Israel, The Jerusalem Post reported. Local police attempted to break up the demonstration, which did not have a proper permit, reportedly leading to the violence.

Federations launch $5.5 million campaign for Ethiopian aliyah

Published on January 24, 2011

The Jewish Federations of North America is launching a $5.5 million fundraising campaign for Ethiopian immigration to Israel. The campaign comes at the behest of the Israeli government, which agreed last November to bring up to 7,846 additional Ethiopians to Israel. Like Israel’s commitment, the federation’s campaign comes with an eye toward concluding mass Ethiopian aliyah; it’s called “Completing the Journey.” “It is our privilege and our obligation to help complete this historic aliyah,” Kathy Manning, chairwoman of the Jewish Federations’ board of trustees, said in a statement announcing the campaign. “The government of Israel says it intends to complete the rescue of the ancient Ethiopian Jewish community and has asked the Jewish Federations of North America and the Jewish Agency for Israel to join this historic effort.”

Ethiopian immigrants arrive in Israel

Published on January 18, 2011

More than 335 immigrants from Ethiopia arrived in Israel on a special Jewish Agency charter flight. The Falash Mura, Ethiopians who claim family links to descendants of Ethiopian Jews who converted to Christianity generations ago, arrived Monday and Tuesday on Ethiopian Air Lines charter flights. They are the first Ethiopian immigrants to arrive in Israel since November because of an aviation dispute between Israel and Ethiopia. Israel's Cabinet in November approved a plan to bring about 8,000 more Ethiopians to Israel over the next four years.

Memorial held for Ethiopian Jews

Published on May 12, 2010

A memorial service was held for the some 4,000 Jewish Ethiopians who died making their way to Israel.

Abraham’s Children: Genetic research opens book on Jewish identity—for good and bad

By Adam Wills
Published on December 26, 2008

Final aliyah flight leaves Ethiopia for Israel, U.S. revokes Fulbright winners’ visas

Published on August 6, 2008

The last official airlift of Ethiopian Jews was scheduled to land in Tel Aviv tonight, bringing to an end a state-organized campaign that began nearly 30 years ago and brought in some 120,000 immigrants from the east African nation

Antonio’s ‘touch,’ Fairfax grads, Beta Israel

Published on July 10, 2008

" . . .I cannot believe that the front page of The Jewish Journal has a picture of the Los Angeles mayor touching the sacred wall and your headline in large yellow letters, "Touched." I think looking closer at the picture you will see a man to his left with an expression of "What in the world do we have here?" or is it just plain amazement, like the one I had in seeing this picture. . . ."

Beta Israel in Ethiopia face uncertain future on aliyah

Published on July 3, 2008

At the center of the controversy raging about the possible end of Ethiopian immigration stand 8,700 relatively helpless Ethiopian Jews who want to come to Israel and an establishment led astray by its interior minister's misguided policy.

VIDEO: Jews of Uganda —the Abayudaya—dream of Israel

Published on July 1, 2008

The Abayudaya, only Jewish community in Uganda, are hoping to emigrate to Israel. It's a move that requires preparation, so some US Jews help them get ready.

Calendar Girls picks and clicks for June 28 - July 4

By Dikla Kadosh and Danielle Berrin
Published on June 27, 2008

L.A. Jewish girl joins the African Jewish matzah dance

By Nili Salem
Published on April 24, 2008

My Pesach preparation, like that of so many Americans, usually involves walking to my local supermarket and loading a cart full of Manischewitz products...

VIDEO: A visit with the Jews of Ethiopia

Published on January 23, 2008

A group from the Jewish Federation of Nashville went to visit Jews in Ethiopia who were awaiting aliyah. This is their story

Ethiopian advocates push for 8,500 more olim

By Ben Harris
Published on December 20, 2007

The righteous doctor of Ethiopia—healing suffering in the world heads this Orthodox physician’s

By Roberto Loiederman
Published on March 22, 2007

When Dr. Rick Hodes prepares a to-do list, it doesn't look like anybody else's.

Letters

Published on June 1, 2006

Letters to the Editor.

Visit to Ethiopia Changes His Life

By Marc Ballon
Published on May 25, 2006

"John has given real leadership to the issue of Ethiopian Jewry," said Barry Shrage, president of the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston, who earlier this year went to Ethiopia with Fishel and 100 American Jewish federation members. "He's always been the first one to speak up and stir the conscience of the federation movement."

Spectator - A ‘Return’ With Echoes

By Robert D. Jaffee
Published on May 18, 2006

While Levitin's novel, "The Return," won the PEN Award and National Jewish Book Award, one might ask if this is apt material for a musical.

Levitin had never written a play or even lyrics before, but calls the musical the "most wonderful, creative form," an egalitarian template that can depict and appeal to anyone.

Tracks of an Ethiopian Exodus

By Uriel Heilman
Published on March 2, 2006

Along with thousands of other Ethiopians fleeing their country, which at the time was ruled by communist dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam, the Jews settled in refugee camps in Sudan and waited for Mossad operatives to take them out.

To the Promised Land

By Uriel Heilman
Published on March 2, 2006

Indalo -- Ethiopians are known by their first names -- is one of the lucky ones among thousands of Ethiopians seeking to immigrate to Israel from one of Africa's poorest countries.

The Ones Left Behind

By Uriel Heilman
Published on March 2, 2006

"In the beginning, I didn't want to go to Jerusalem because I was scared of the journey," confessed Shirva Goyto'om, one of the lone Jews remaining in the province. Shirva lives in a small town about 30 miles west of the city of Shire, which itself has but one paved road.

Fishel to Play Key Falash Mura Role

By Marc Ballon
Published on February 23, 2006

John Fishel took his seat on the jetliner and glanced across the aisle. Seated near the president of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles was an Ethiopian woman. Resplendent in traditional garb, she cradled an infant in her arms and looked lovingly at her toddler son seated beside her.

Exodus’ Trail of Woe

By Uriel Heilman
Published on February 23, 2006

They've come here and to slums in the city of Gondar from their rural villages, abandoning their farms and occupations as blacksmiths, potters and weavers to live near the aid compounds and, more importantly, to be close to the Israeli officials in whose hands their fate rests.

Falash Mura Plight Stirs Support in U.S.

By Uriel Heilman
Published on February 23, 2006

Perhaps no single party outside the Israeli government is as vital to Ethiopian aliyah as the American Jews committed to help paying for it. So this month, when the United Jewish Communities (UJC) brought a group of 100 people from America's wealthiest Jewish communities, including Los Angeles, to the straw-and-mud huts of one of the poorest countries on earth, it was a signal to the Israeli government that American Jewry is serious about its own role in bringing Ethiopians to Israel.

Briefs

Published on February 3, 2005

Briefs

Federation Expects to Aid Ethiopian Jews

By Steve Lipman
Published on April 1, 2004

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles expects to join half a dozen Jewish federations across the United States this week in an emergency allocation of nearly $250,000 for endangered members of the Falash Mura community in Ethiopia.

Ethiopian Aliyah Dilemma

By John Fishel
Published on December 11, 2003

I was in a compound in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, sitting with 500 men, women and children, all praying in Hebrew during Shabbat. I was there as part of a small group of lay and professional leaders from the United States to try to understand a complex and confusing series of issues surrounding the Falash Mura, a group of more than 20,000 Ethiopians who claim Judaism as their faith and are eagerly awaiting aliyah.

The differences between the two services could not have been more striking. In Jerusalem, we were all well-dressed and appeared healthy. In Addis Ababa, the group was dressed in threadbare, hand-me-down clothes. Not surprisingly, many looked unhealthy.

Pressure on Aiding Ethiopians Grows

By Uriel Heilman
Published on November 6, 2003

Increased pressure from officials of American Jewish organizations is driving preliminary talks on a new deal to bring thousands of Ethiopian Jews to Israel before famine takes a heavy toll on the community remaining in Ethiopia.

Coming on the eve of a federation-sponsored trip to Ethiopia, federation leaders, advocates for Ethiopian Jews, representatives of Jewish humanitarian groups and Israeli government officials met recently in Jerusalem to discuss new ways of expediting the emigration process for thousands of Falash Mura left in Ethiopia. The Falash Mura are Ethiopians whose Jewish ancestors converted to Christianity, often under social pressure, but who have resumed practicing Judaism and whose Jewishness is accepted by all three major Jewish religious denominations, including Israel's chief rabbinate.

Ethiopian Pied Piper Rocks Heartstrings

By Michael Aushenker
Published on September 18, 2003

This Rosh Hashanah, the dreadlocked Santa Monica resident will showcase his talents at B'nai Horin, the Culver City shul he has been performing at since 1997. Alula Tzadik will play the kirar, a harp-like instrument dating back to King David's time.

Jews in Crisis IV

By Rob Eshman
Published on March 6, 2003

On Feb. 16, Israel's previously ruling Cabinet agreed to expedite the immigration of Falash Mura to Israel from Ethiopia. The ruling affirms Israel's responsibility to these people, but it also raises significant questions. No one can say when the immigration will occur, or what aid and absorption services the Falash Mura will receive in Ethiopia or in Israel. Nor is it clear who will pay the cost of immigration and absorption, which some estimates put at $400 million over four years.

Heroes’ Stories Discovered Again

By Tom Tugend
Published on May 31, 2001

"The Jews of Ethiopia: A Personal Journey Back to Their Past" consists of a collection of some 60 black-and-white photos taken by Dr. Wolf Leslau during a number of explorations of the Ethiopian hinterlands, starting in the mid-1940s.

Memories in Melody

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on May 10, 2001

For Ilana Besha, 19, the songs conjure up images of the first mass aliyah from famine-stricken Ethiopia to the Promised Land. "When word came to our village that we were going to Israel, it was like a dream come true," said the teenager, who was in Los Angeles last week with Shlomo Gronich and the Sheba Choir. But her long, exhausting journey was fraught with danger. As Besha, at 4, walked with her family across the Sudan, several of her baby cousins wasted away and died. "They are buried in the desert," she said.