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 was traditional a fast day, followed by a feast that evening.  Today, Sigd is celebrated all over Israel with the main celebration being in Jerusalem – outside on the Promenade which overlooks the Old City and Temple Mount.   It is a colorful event with kessim (rabbis) in white and vibrant umbrellas, crowds of hundreds of Ethiopian Israelis and others, booths of art displays and the Old City of Jerusalem spread out below.    Sigd is a great opportunity to learn about Ethiopian Jewish culture and traditions.

Prayers begin at 8 am, with the full ceremony at 12:30 pm, and the conclusion scheduled for 2 pm.    All are welcome, if you happen to be in Jerusalem on Sigd/Thanksgiving!

Read more about Sigd, here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

photo by Joan Roth:  Kessim in Jerusalem heading to the Promenade