After 10 long years as a hostage in Gaza, Avera Mengistu was freed on Saturday, February 22nd as part of a hostage deal releasing 5 other Israeli hostages in Gaza.   Avera, along with one other hostage, had been kept captive for over 10 years.  As part of the Phase 1 Israel-Hamas agreement, they were included with hostages from October 7th in the negotiations.    After being paraded across a stage...

Nate Shapiro passed away last week at age 88 in his native Chicago.  A true light in the world has gone out.    Nate was a life-long philanthropist, dedicated to the Jewish people, Israel and most of all, Ethiopian Jews.     He worked tirelessly for the release of Ethiopian Jews from Ethiopia during a harsh Marxist military regime, lobbied and advocated for the rescue from deplorable refugee camps...

This year, the annual Ethiopian Israeli national holiday of Sigd falls on the same day as American Thanksgiving - November 28, 2024.    The Sigd is a 2,000 year old Ethiopian Jewish holiday which became a national Israeli holiday in 2008, after years of advocacy by organizations such as the Association of Ethiopian Jews. Sigd is an Amharic word meaning “prostration” or “worship” and the holiday...

Nafatli Aklum has been named No. 5 of the top 25 young Israeli visionaries by The Jerusalem Post and JNF.    Naftali is the founder and director of Naftali Aklum Educational Lectures and Tours, which teaches students, officials, tourists and the Israeli public about the long, rich heritage and traditions of the Ethiopian Jews.   Naftali Aklum Educational Lectures and Tours is one of the outstandin...

Long-time activist and advocate for Ethiopian Jews, Murray Greenfield, died on September 23rd at age 98, in Israel.   One of the very first American-Israelis to work for the release of Ethiopian Jews from Ethiopia and acceptance in Israel, Murry was known for his tenacy, dedication to social justice and strong convictions.   He was a proud Jew, a Zionist and Israeli.   Murray was one of the origin...

Wuste Tsega 2023-24 Report Wuste Tzega, the Culturally-Adapted Psychotherapy Center, has been non-stop for the past 11 months.   Since October 7th, Wuste Tsega experienced a surge in demand for its services, assisting evacuees, injured individuals, soldiers, and civilians facing trauma.   Wuste Tzega launched the first hotline to provide counseling and support nationally in Hebrew and Amharic...

This week we finally witnessed justice for young Ethiopian Israeli demonstrators to expunge criminal records who were arrested years ago, while protesting peacefully when Solomon Tekkah was killed by an off-duty policeman.   After years of advocacy by the Association of Ethiopian Jews (the AEJ), the Knesset approved the pivotal law to erase thousands of unwarranted criminal records of Ethiopian Is...

Despite current conditions in Israel,  Friends of Ethiopian Jews recently hosted our annual gathering of Ethiopian Israeli leaders, activists and changemakers to discuss the most pressing issues facing the community today.    For the first time since October 7th, these leaders met in person (rather than on zoom) for a day of sharing, supporting, learning and analyzing the most press...

American Jews have been staunch supporters of the Ethiopian Jewish community for decades.  Large Jewish foundations, family foundations, schools, synagogues and 51 Jewish federations across the United States have assisted with helping the community survive in Ethiopia, the difficult and dangerous Aliyah, absorption in Israel and ongoing programs for equal rights, civil liberties, employment, educa...

The continuing crisis in Israel has brought distress, dislocation and sorrow to so many. As 2023 draws to a close, we wish to honor and remember those Ethiopian Israelis who have fallen since October 7th - soldiers, police and civilians. May their memories be a source of blessing and strength to us all. We stand with the community. In Memoriam. Major Moloken Tshuma from Ashdod, served in the B...