Stories and Pathways

     An outpouring of culture, custom, and collectivism, this past Thursday’s Sigd celebration filled me with awe and admiration. Vast crowds of Ethiopian-Jews gathered together on the Jerusalem Tayelet to celebrate connection and yearning to reside in Jerusalem, a reality that was made possible for thousands of Ethiopian families, who endured strenuous travels and obstacles, in the past few decades.       The unique customs and practices of Ethiopian Jewry shine a light on how incredible it is to have maintained tradition and devoutness throughout the diaspora. After the opening ceremony of the event, in which politicians addressed the feats and accomplishments of the community, I met a friendly young man named Oded. After offering my friends and I to taste some of his Dabo, a traditional Ethiopian bread that many Ethiopian Jews serve on Shabbat and that many break their Sigd fast with, he explained with eagerness his mom’s commitment to Judaism and g...

The Sigd festival held last week in Jerusalem was a special experience because it demonstrated a balance between isolation and assimilation, between tradition and modernity. Until contemporary times, the holiday of Sigd was practiced solely by Ethiopian Jews. Sigd celebrates the acceptance of the Torah and the desire to return to Israel and the Temple. It also marks the day that God is thought to have revealed Himself to Moses. Walking through the festival here in Jerusalem, it was impossible not to notice the subtle ways that Ethiopian and Israeli cultures alike have shaped our modern celebration of Sigd. Ethiopian Israelis dressed in traditional garments intermingled with those wearing popular street fashion. But, most importantly, it was not only the Ethiopian Israeli community celebrating. The crowd represented a mix of Jewish identities from numerous origins. For many immigrants, making a new life in another country tragically requires relinquishing ties to one’s traditions and ho...