Struggle to Save Ethiopian Jewry (SSEJ), a volunteer-staffed organization in the United States, recently completed an airlift of medical materials to enclaves of Ethiopian Jews in the city of Gondar. This aid was crucial as ongoing conflicts in Israel had disrupted traditional avenues of support for the Ethiopian Jewish community. The medical supplies were transported over several weeks beginning on Mar. 9 and ending on Apr. 5, with 10 pallets of supplies delivered to the SSEJ medical clinic.
Jeremy Feit, the President of SSEJ, explained that much of the support for Ethiopian Jews in Ethiopia comes from remittances from relatives in Israel. However, economic shutdowns in Israel due to the conflict with Hamas had impacted the ability of Israeli relatives to send funds. SSEJ partnered with the Afya Foundation and Airlink to facilitate the delivery of medical supplies to the region. While the supplies were intended for the Jewish enclaves, they would also be redistributed to other local health clinics in need.
The Ethiopian Jewish community has a long history of seeking refuge in Israel through covert evacuations such as Operation Moses in 1984 and Operation Solomon in 1991. Approximately 13,500 Ethiopian Jews remain in Ethiopia, with the majority located in Gondar and Addis Ababa. These communities originate from small villages and have migrated to urban centers where Israeli diplomatic missions are located. However, complications arise due to the varied demographics and religious backgrounds of the Ethiopian Jewish population.
There are two main groups within the Ethiopian Jewish community, Beta Israel and Falash Mura, with differing claims to Jewish identity and eligibility for Israeli citizenship. Political and religious debates persist over the right of these communities to immigrate to Israel based on their religious and historical background. While Israeli government efforts to bring more Ethiopian Jews to Israel have been hindered by the ongoing conflict, the community members in Ethiopia continue to live in challenging conditions without proper infrastructure.
Despite the challenges faced by Ethiopian Jews in Gondar and Addis Ababa, their concerns extend beyond their own well-being to the safety of their relatives in Israel. With loved ones facing constant threats of violence from terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, Ethiopian Jews in Ethiopia pray for the safety and well-being of their relatives in Israel. The Jewish community in Ethiopia remains dedicated to their heritage and connection to Israel, despite the hardships they face in their current living conditions.
Efforts by organizations like SSEJ to provide aid and support to the Ethiopian Jewish community are crucial in ensuring the well-being of these vulnerable populations in Ethiopia. As Israeli political attention is focused on addressing the conflict with Hamas, continued assistance and advocacy for Ethiopian Jews are essential. The enduring connection and prayers of Ethiopian Jews for the State of Israel and the IDF highlight the deep-rooted faith and solidarity within the global Jewish community, transcending geographical boundaries and challenges.
