The International Center for the Study of Ethiopian Jewry at Ono Academic College launched a Chair for Research of Ethiopian Jewry on Sunday, the first such academic position in the country and likely the world.

Excerpted from the January 9, 2019 Jerusalem Post –  Israel Online News  – by Jeremy Sharon

Rabbi Dr. Sharon Shalom, (pictured here) the head of the international center, will serve as the first chairperson for the institution.

Present at the launch was Ethiopian Ambassador Tsegay Berha Hadera, who delivered comments at the event.

“This is a very important event for Ethiopian Jews and for those who are committed to discovering the marvelous history and culture of Ethiopian Jews and Israelis,” Hadera said.

“This is one of the highest gifts given to Ethiopian Jews, because their history is part and parcel of Ethiopian history.”

The ambassador praised the “long-lasting commitment” of Ono Academic College to Ethiopian Jews, saying that it has helped empower Ethiopian Israelis, pointing to graduate and MK Pnina Tamano-Shata as “a shining example” of the results of the institution.

There are currently some 144,000 Israelis of Ethiopian heritage. The Beta Israel made aliyah to Israel in the 1980s and early 1990s in operations Moses and Solomon under the terms of the Law of Return.

The Falash Mura – descendants of Jews who converted under duress from Judaism to Christianity in the late 19th century – came later, starting in 1993 through the Law of Entry as exercised by the Interior Ministry. More recently, they have been able to come because of family reunification principles, since Israel’s Law of Return excludes those who converted away from Judaism from automatic immigration rights. They are required to undergo a conversion process once they arrive in Israel.