In 1977 there were about one hundred Ethiopian Jews in Israel; now there are more than one hundred thousand. Their courageous exodus from their native land and their mass immigration to Israel is a unique historical event.
This beautiful and touching book is the first one to recount in captivating photographs and candid interviews the profound challenges and inspiring accomplishments of Ethiopian Jews struggling to become Ethiopian Israelis. Featuring more than fifty men and women--religious leaders, soldiers, lawyers, students, actors, musicians, a member of the Knesset, and more--this fascinating book reveals their personal stories. A historical narrative traces how some Ethiopians became Jewish and how they got to Israel. Then, in their own words, they reveal how they experience Israel as a part of its most impoverished and culturally distinct minority.
Their dream is to become accepted and integrated without losing their own character, identity and values. They declare their devotion to their spiritual homeland and to overcoming the illiteracy, unemployment, crime and alienation that have plagued their community. With dramatic and evocative full-color photographs, The Ethiopian Jews of Israel tells an unforgettable story of contemporary relevance, as the Jewish State continues to bring more Jews from Ethiopia.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
nice for your coffee table:
A pleasant volume about Ethiopian Jews in Israel. The pictures are certainly nice to look at; the appended potted texts rarely stray from the superficial. I find the Selected Bibliography unreliable; it does list the most important books on the subject, but it also recommends materials of questionable value.
Striking images of Jews of Beta Israel tribe. Beautifully documents Ethiopian Jews in living Israel today.:
Very well composed book with clear images capturing the humble, yet rich spirit of the Beta Israel tribe now finally settled in Ethiopia. Despite their poverty-striken land of origin, these people are blameless survivors; victims of political turmoil and religious persecution. Their positive energy is expressed via vivid documentation of actual Ethiopian Jews living in Israel today. The affable, positive qualities of the Beta Israel transcend the wonderful photographs contained in this book. Great book... more info
AN APPROPRIATE BOOK AT AN APPROPRIATE TIME IN HISTORY:
This is a wonderful book which shows some of the heterogeneity which exists in Israel!!! Having lived & visited Israel over 8 times in the last 20 years, I am very familiar with this group in Israel, and other ethnic groups (Jewish & non-Jewish) which make Israel their home. Not withstanding the semi-psychotic & libelous rant against the Beta-Yisrael by one of the earlier reviewers(who shows himself to also be ignorant of the emic & etic cultural & religious anthropology of the... more info
"The Ethiopian Jews Of Israel" is an impressive and welcome treatise:
Profusely illustrated with the full color photography of Ilan Ossendryver and featuring an informative foreword by Alan M. Dershowitz, "The Ethiopian Jews Of Israel: Personal Stories of Life In The Promised Land" by Len Lyons reveals through candid interviews and personal accounts the struggles and accomplishments of Ethiopian Jews who migrated to Israel and became Ethiopian Israelis. Among the more than fifty men and women included in this fascinating account are religious leaders, soldiers, lawyers,... more info
