Ethiopian Jews, Image June 2005 by meg and rahul
Upon the continent of Africa, in the land of Ethiopia, for thousands of years an Israelite community thrived; they lived as kings and called themselves “Beta Israel” or “House of Israel”. However, although they shared the skin color of their neighbors they did not receive their acceptance. They were called “Falasha” by their neighbors which translates as “the alien ones or invaders”.
These “Falasha Jews” obtained a history quite similar to the rest of their Jewish brethren before the reestablishment of Israel; however, it would be several decades before many of them could join their fellow Jews in the re-birthed nation.
Many believe these to be the descendants of Menelik I, son of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. However, it is hard to know since much of their history and religious books were destroyed during a 1624 war for independence. An eyewitness account described the battle.
“Falasha men and women fought to the death from the steep heights of their fortress… they threw themselves over the precipice or cut each other’s throats rather than be taken prisoner—it was a Falasha Masada. [The rebel leaders] burned all of the Falasha’s written history and all of their religious books, it was an attempt to eradicate forever the Judaic memory of Ethiopia” (Righteous Jews Honored by Falasha Supporters, AAEJ Press Release, 1981).
Although they lived their lives in accordance with Judaism the rest of the world community of Jews did not know of their existence. In 1769 a Scottish explorer named James Bruce discovered them living along the Nile, at this point there were only 100,000, down from their former reported number of 500,000.
They experienced dramatic oppression and injustice under the rule of the dynasties of this land. When Israel became a nation, however, they established diplomatic relations with Ethiopia and some Jews were able to leave for Israel.
However, when the Yom Kippur war occurred many African nations, including Ethiopia, broke ties with Israel for fear of an Arab oil embargo. It wasn’t until 1984 that Operation Moses, Joshua, and Solomon that would bring the remaining Jews home.
Through shifting dynasties, diplomatic relations and famines the Jewish people were returned to the land of Israel and embraced with open arms.
Today 76,000 Jews live throughout Africa.
