Israel Non Profit News » culture

Ethiopian Jews Realize their Jerusalem Dream

Pamela Deutsch — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 06:43:58 +0000

The Jerusalem Dream project has been a rewarding experience at the Tower of David. It has successfully focused on the significance of Jerusalem to the Ethiopian community and has helped to preserve that heritage. Graduates of the first guiding course for young Ethiopian Israelis have taken more than 20 groups of new and veteran Ethiopian immigrants from all over Israel through the exhibit halls of the Museum. These very special tours emphasize the connection between Ethiopian traditions and the city of Jerusalem. The response of the Ethiopian community has been both enthusiastic and moving as elders of the community come together with the young generation torenew their ties to the city. This year, the program has again received funding through the Jerusalem Foundation and will continue by offering a second guiding course beginning this month. A film that documents the unique human aspects of the program can be viewed here.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The MAKSAM Network of Hadera celebrates Sigd

Pamela Deutsch — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:44:00 +0000

On the 29th day of the Hebrew month of Cheshvan, 50 days after Yom Kippur, the Ethiopian Jewish community celebrates the Sigd Festival. The name Sigd comes from the word “sgida” prostration before the Holy Torah and before the Lord, and the Sigd Festival commemorates both the giving of the Torah and the communal gatherings held in Jerusalem in the days of the prophets Ezra and Nehemiah.

In Ethiopia, the Sigd was marked with a half-day fast and a pilgrimage to the top of the nearest high mountain. There, the community’s religious leaders would chant from the Torah and lead the community in prayer, praying for the restoration of Jerusalem and the reconstruction of the Holy Temple and for their dream of making aliyah to Israel to come true. The day would end with a festive meal.

Since 2009 the Sigd has been incorporated into the Israeli calendar as a National Holiday for the Ethiopian community, many of whom travel to Jerusalem where they gather on the Talpiot Promenade, overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem for a day of prayer and festivities.

The Ethiopian pupils of the MAKSAM Network of After School Study and Enrichment Centers in Hadera celebrated the Sigd with a modest ceremony, including readings, songs and dancing, in the delighted presence of their parents and invited guests.

The pupils were excited by their awesome task, and their parents were overjoyed to watch their Israeli born “Ethiopian Sabras” celebrating the Ethiopian community’s most holy day with such reverance.

Bekol Lowers the Volume

Pamela Deutsch — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:30:02 +0000

On the 29^th of September, in the framework of the Gesher Theater production “Tartufe”, Bekol held a special activity to raise awareness about the organization’s activities.

During the second act of the play, the actors stopped speaking out loud and continued to act all the while moving their lips as if they were speaking. Needless to say, the audience could not quite understand what had happened. As they began to react, a member of Bekol stood up on stage with a sign that said: “Having a hard time hearing? Bekol, the Organization for the Hard of Hearing is here for you.

The activity was filmed and is posted on YouTube – click on the picture to see the video.

The activity was initiated and produced by the Baumann-Bar- Rivnay advertising agency which is providing assistance to Bekol.

Festival BeShekel’s Wraps Up Another Successful Summer

Pamela Deutsch — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:09:38 +0000

21,000 people attended three festival’s in Israel’s periphery; enjoying a community cultural experience in Gilboa, Jerusalem`s neighborhood Katamonim, and Lod. Each festival was produced in cooperation with a “Cultural Leaders group” made up of local youth, led by our organization`s peer mentors, and in cooperation with the local council or municipality. It was a thrilling experience to see cultural Jewish-Arab cooperation come to life for the first time in these communities.

Each festival was a happening for the whole family. At the beginning of the evening, young children and parents enjoyed creative workshops, drum circles and “Loftgisheft” street theater. During the remainder of the evening, everyone enjoyed the performances put on by the best local and national talents.

On 30 June, the Festival took place at the Harod Spring National Park; 2009`s first Festival BeShekel. About 9,000 people enjoyed the spectacular festival for the affordable coast of a symbolic one Shekel. The event in Gilboa was our first ever Jewish-Arab Festival. It was a tremendous success, drawing one of our biggest audiences ever.

On 6 July, the Festival took place in Jerusalem`s Katamonim neighborhood, at the Elmaliach Park. About 7,000 attended the event. Artistic Director Shaanan Streett noted “The festivals bring a family atmosphere and allow everyone to participate. I saw three different generations enjoying the event, having walked from nearby buildings and homes.”

On 8 July, the final Festival took place in the municipal Gandhi Park, in Lod. Some 6,000 people attended the festival, produced together with the “Cultural Leaders” group – Jewish and Arab youth from Lod.