Ministry

In 1991, the political and economic stability of Ethiopia deteriorated, as rebels mounted attacks against and eventually controlled the capital city of Addis Ababa. Worried about the fate of the Jews during the transition period, the Israeli government along with several private groups prepared to covertly bring the entire Jewish population to Israel (Solomon Operation). Over the course of the next 36 hours, a total of 34 passenger planes, with their seats removed to maximize passenger capacity, flew 14,325 of the Jews of Ethiopia non-stop to Israel. More daring operations continued during 1992-1999.

Ethiopians are gradually becoming part of the mainstream Israeli society in religious life, military service (with nearly all males doing national service), education, and politics. Similarly to other groups of immigrant Jews, who made aliya (immigrated) to Israel, the Ethiopians have faced obstacles in their integration to Israeli society. Most of the 100,000 Ethiopian Beta Israel living in Israel are immigrants and descendants of two main waves, the first in 1981–1984 and the second in 1991. These airlifts were known as Operation Moses and Operation Solomon, respectively. Civil war and famine in Ethiopia prompted the Israeli government to mount these dramatic rescue operations. The rescues were within the context of Israel's national mission to gather Diaspora Jews and bring them to the Jewish homeland. Ethiopian Jews are still being brought to Israel on a regular basis (there is a very small community still scattered there). Through absorption centers that provide "giant baby steps" into civilization, these wonderful people become a part of the Israeli family.

On our visits to Israel during the Heritage Study Programs, we meet with members of the Ethiopian community and visit a number of their absorption centers.