Ethiopian Jews in Israel still await the promised land
The ancient hymns brought tears to the eyes of Solomon Ayeli, as well as memories of his native Ethiopia which he left two decades ago for Israel - a country he loves but where he often feels rejected.
Separated during centuries from other Jewish communities, the Beta Israel were only recognised as Jews by Israel's two chief rabbis in 1975.
The recognition was crucial, as Aliyah - the Israeli law of return - allows any Jew to settle in Israel and get citizenship.
Israel airlifted in 35,000 Ethiopian Jews under Operation Moses in 1984, at the height of a famine in the Horn of Africa, and during the 1991 Operation Solomon.
Read entire article at Telegraph (UK)
Separated during centuries from other Jewish communities, the Beta Israel were only recognised as Jews by Israel's two chief rabbis in 1975.
The recognition was crucial, as Aliyah - the Israeli law of return - allows any Jew to settle in Israel and get citizenship.
Israel airlifted in 35,000 Ethiopian Jews under Operation Moses in 1984, at the height of a famine in the Horn of Africa, and during the 1991 Operation Solomon.