Jan 20
BO… come (This week’s parsha) Arrived at 5:15 , as the sun rose over the mountains in Addis Ababa. Very happy Micha Feldman is accompanying us. We are standing on a ledge overlooking the dangerous route from Gondar to the Sudan.
Listening to “Abba “Micha tell the stories.
After a picnic lunch – bread, hard boiled eggs, potatoes , tomatoes (questionable if edible) and bananas, we handed our left overs to a myriad of Ethiopians (mostly children) who had been shadowing us as Micha recounted the plight of Ethiopian Jewry. To quote Howard: ”If we do nothing else…this was wonderful”. This whole day was amazing. Arriving at dawn, and then leaving the hotel and then participating in the overwhelming Epiphany Procession . Unlike last year we walked and danced along with the throngs of Christians celebrating the Baptismal of Jesus. EXTRAORDINARY
Wolleka – Synagogue Micha is telling the experience of his first visit to the Jewish village that is no longer. (1 year after Moses came to a stop.) How he read from Torah the Parsha “Bo”. The village is now called Falasha Village and (Jewish) tourists visit.
Castle in Gondar Getacho
Castle with Muslim and Morrish influence and the balustrade where in English, indicating the variety of different countries that have conquered Ethiopia.
Synagogue Gondar Village waiting Centre.
Buna Celebration at the Jewish Centre waiting area.
Asher Seyum, Director of Absorption Center in Ashdod.
Shepherd Journey thru Sudan Israel 2 degrees phy sed Representative of Jewish Agency in Ethiopia Lives with his wife and children in Gondar
In 2010 was chosen to run educational programs for Alyot . Advocate for Ethiopians.
One more story of the journey from Ethiopian through Sudan to Jerusalem… only to be told by chief Rabbi that they are not really Jewish and therefore must be symbolically circumcised (one drop of blood from his penis). His father went from the Absorption center to protest (physical education). He eventually studied and ended up working with the Jewish children at risk.
WE ARE SO BLESSED!
Spend a wonderful day…Jewish compound visiting schools and on the way met an amazing little boy (Achinafi) who accompanied us and enabled us to visit his home. 3 rooms, 3 families – In his mud home/room -mother, father sister and him. Next home – room – 7, Next home-room -5 outdoor kitchen, outdoor toilets. In Achinafi’s home there was a cupboard with glasses/plates etc… curtains electricity and wall decorations – small for sure… but well kept. He was a beautiful child, full of spunk and a budding camera man. He totally befriended Howard and absconded with the camera. Probably will produce some memorable shots. Said goodbye to our new friend and headed by our bus on a new “road” to Ambover.
Dust ridden from the ride since the windows were open to allow us some reprieve from the heat and to view the incredible vista along the way. The bus had to cross little crevasses along the way… “irrigation” system from the mountain springs. To enable trouble free crossings the bus driver and drivers from our lead jeep threw rocks into the hole and off we went. Ambover, once a Jewish village ,has a synagogue, school with wonderful drawings of the workings of the body, the periodic table, etc. On the outside of the school buildings, we met a young man who already made his Aliyah and was visiting his mother who was not eligible. He spoke fluent Hebrew and talked with us about his experiences. The evening peaked with a wonderful buffet dinner at the “4 sisters restaurant” and Ethiopian dancing… “Zumba”. Daniel (Jojo’s boyfriend) bought the musical instrument (Mazenko) from the musician!!!! On our way to Lalibela… After a stepover in Axum Capital of the Empire of Ethiopia we landed in Lalibela and drove thru incredible vista on the way to “Hotel Tukul” 2 rooms in each hut – beautifully decorated, huge bathroom and balconies surrounded by gardens and in house restaurant. Highly recommend!!
Our guide Achinafi told us once again his story… he was married, had children and then was separated because of the revolution. When he returned years later, she had remarried in order to support herself. After many years, he too remarried and so eliminated his possibility of becoming a priest because of his divorce… so now he is a guide of Churches… “When one door closes another opens”. We were treated to an aromic “Buna” celebration, at the guide’s home, where the coffee beans were ground, brewed and served by his sister. (His wife was in Addis, visiting his kids in boarding school). Of course, popcorn was served, as well as a matzah textured bread, honey wine and Arak (alcohol). We left very happy, dinner bonfires , dancing and bed! Dr. Rick Hodes: We are hosted at his home in Addid Ababa From Long Island Operation Solomon 1991 Medical Director of J.D.C. Working with Olim Has adopted 5 children with spinal disease “Mensch “ of the month continues From Akiba Academy
Israeli Ambassador and Another Story Born in Ambover and made Aliyah alone at the age of 17 for the Israeli Embassy. 2 sisters went thru Sudan extremely difficult Very --- to go direct from Egypt All her life she heard about going to Jerusalem… to be a part of the Jewish community. Spoke of her reaction to our journey and mission and the emotional journey that the Olim are taking, from the perspective of one who has been born there!! Very proud of Israeli influence in agriculture in Ethiopia. Many Israeli companies in Ethiopia helping locals thru employment Development of avocado oil
Israeli electric Company hopefully taking over management President of Ethiopia personally greeted her in Amharic as the first person born in Ethiopia and returning, would have wanted her parents to witness Father was a chief Rabbi –They have both since past in Israel. DREAM BIG … education, education, education
Shai Fredo – actor in “Vas et Deviens”
Always learning another story and hearing about Jerusalem 7 year old Shai Travelled for 1 ½ month to Sudan Robbers, soldiers, lack of food, animals… Leaving behind his dog After 3 weeks he really wanted to return but the family was rescued by a Christian land owner… Got lost while trying to catch a fish for his family.. the family new knew he was missing Remembers games he played at the camp(counting how many people would die in a day)4,000 Jews died of the 12,000 First time he saw a white person in the Sudan, he thought the person was …… In Israel” Studied in Yehsiva and thought his grandfather was Moishe Rabbenu His father was shoket Did army policeman Actor, writer Will finally go back to Ethiopia after 30 years
“Soft Landing” Absorption Center in Ashkelon
Most Challenging part of the journey Most critical window of opportunity Helping Olim bridge Ethiopian and Israeli life Helping children climbing the steps of the ladders to success thru social skills, confidence etc. “Israel loves the Aliyah but doesn’t love the Olim”.
Director of Absorption Centre Another story Born in Wolleka First language reading and writing in Hebrew at the Hebrew school in his village Recounting his story as he became a “Falasha” overnight as his friend learned he was Jewish when he couldn’t attend school because of a Jewish Holiday. Falasha= Stranger = unable to own land.Therefore professions” blacksmith, builder, etc..To differenciate from the rest of the village, (marry at an early age and raise family), Jews encouraged education One of his brothers went to Israel via Sudan. In 1985, he lucked out and he was brought to Canada with the help of Canadian Jewish Congress with forged scholarship. Took one year to get visa. Lived in Montreal for 7 years and he thus brought his parents. In 1994, he joined the rest of his family in Israel. Graduate from Technion University. His story His epiphany of how magical this country is came to him when Miccha Feldman enabled him to enter Israel without a passport after a phone call the previous night… Keren Hayesod shaliach in Australia. Montreal, Australia are beautiful but Israel gives him opportunities that anywhere cannot. Here is a paradise.
We began our journey to Israel and Ethiopia on the 16th of January. The Torah Parsha most fittingly (or coincidentity) was BO or come. Were we being called? Now after retuning home almost 7 days later we are about to read the Parsha Ytro – about revelation.
This journey was most definitely a revelation for me. My eyes were not focused so much on the “mission”but the people of this mission… the beautiful people of Ethiopia, the devoted people from all over the world who commit to opening windows of opportunity that may otherwise have been locked and of course the friends and my own wonderful son who were my companions on this incredible journey. I look forward to learning more about the “coming to Jerusalem” of the Olim and hope to meet Agrebe in April.
A young woman whose rocky start.. a tumble on the escalator going to the plane to Israel… a tearful arrival in Tel Aviv… learning she was not joining her brother in Beer Sheva… but was assigned to another Apsorbtion center where she would have a more specific integration for her needs and qualifications. Then finally being allowed to go to her original destination much to her (and our) relief.
These smiling, righteous, determined, religious and dedicated men, women and children will most definitely be an asset to “Jerusalem” or wherever they ultimately settle. I am so grateful to have met them… another chapter in my life story.