Israeli media widely covered the story in late June about the Ministry of Religious Affairs refusing to extend the contract of 67-year-old Rabbi Yosef Hadane, the Chief Ethioipian Israeli rabbi.  Rabbi Hadane was the first Ethiopian Jewish religious leader who chose to become an Orthodox  Rabbi in Israel, rather than follow in his father's footsteps as a Kes.     See the account in the English-language JERUSALEM POST, HERE. In response, Friends of Ethiopian Jews wrote an Op-Ed to the Post, wh...

This new book by Rabbi Dr. Sharon Shalom examines the history, customs, and law of the Beta Israel, codifying the ancient cultural heritage of Ethiopian Jewry for the first time and contrasting it with Orthodox rabbinic law.  It is a fascinating read for everyone interested in the history and practice of Judaism and the amazing religious tenacity of Ethiopian Jews. Rabbi Dr. Sharon Shalom made aliyah to Israel on his own in 1982 at the age of eight. He received his PhD in Jewish philosophy fr...

Protests and demonstrations in Israel following the release of a video of an Ethiopian Israeli soldier being beaten by Israeli police have resulted in a storm of media coverage.   Click here for a comprehensive collection, including the video.

Avraham Neguise, who made aliyah from Ethiopia thirty years ago, was one of 39 new members elected in March to serve in the twentieth Knesset. A member of the Likud party, Neguise is the sixth Ethiopian-Israeli elected to Knesset and the only one to serve in the new term.  Click here for full story.

The IDF presents a report on Ethiopian Israelis in the army to a Knesset subcommittee. Read the Times of Israel article “Mixed results for the army’s Ethiopian Israeli program. Click here to read the 9/29/14 Times of Israel article.