Love that "Operation Moses" for you see this is the same plan used by Jomo Kenyatta and Martin Luther King, who played Moses right unto his death on a balcony - symbolizing no doubt Mt. Nebo. For sermon for sermon, Chapter and Verse, King had the communist timetable and it is in full swing now. What do they call it now Operation Gay Pride Moses March? So those were Russian Jews who were killed - the kids outside the disco - now it all figures. Saba �� World Jewry: Ethiopian Jewry and Soviet Jewry Last Updated May 30, 2000 Ethiopian Jewry Background The Quara Jews The Felash Mura Resolutions For More Information Soviet Jewry and Anti-Semitism in the Former Soviet Union For More Information ETHIOPIAN JEWRY Background The history of Ethiopian Jewry dates back many centuries. For most of that period, these Jews had no contact with the rest of the Jewish world, yet they strongly maintained their Jewish identity. When the state of Israel was founded in 1948, many of the Ethiopian Jews attempted to make aliyah, but were forbidden to leave Ethiopia. From November 1985 until January 1986, the Israeli government ran Operation Moses, a covert mass migration. This secret operation was halted after only 7,000 Ethiopian Jews were airlifted from the area. During a dramatic 36-hour period in 1991, the Israeli government, assisted by the United States government and the American Association for Ethiopian Jews (AAEJ), airlifted almost the entire Jewish community of Ethiopia to Israel. The rescue presented Israel and the Ethiopian olim (immigrants) with a new challenge � becoming full-fledged members of Israeli society. In the mid-1980s the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC) formed Project REAP (the Reform movement Ethiopian Jewry Assistance Program) to send volunteer American doctors to refugee camps and Jewish villages in Gondar and other areas of Ethiopia. Here in the United States, the Religious Action Center played a key role in making the plight of Ethiopian Jews a major concern of the entire American Jewish community. There are currently two distinct groups in Ethiopia who claim the right to make aliyah to Israel � the Quara Jews and the Felash Mura. These groups make such claims based on completely different circumstances, thus the Israeli government and the Ethiopian Jewry advocacy community are treating the two as separate matters. The Quara Jews The Quara Jews are a group of Beta Yisrael (by definition this means Ethiopian Jews whose lineage is not in question) who were involved in an internal dispute in their community many years ago and moved to a different part of Quara. Quara is in a remote part of Ethiopia, near the border with Eritrea, and is completely inaccessible during the rainy season. By a series of mishaps, the Quara Jews were not brought to Israel with the earlier air lifts of Operation Moses (1984) and Operation Solomon (1991). Since June 1999, the Israeli government brought the last 2,500 Jews from the Quara region of Ethiopia. This exodus, contrary to the past operations, has been kept low-key in an effort to maintain positive relations with the Ethiopian government. While this mass immigration has not been the focus of media attention, it is just as important as past immigrations. These historic events provide an opportunity for Jews around the world to engage in the important mitzvah(commandment) of pidyon sh'vuyim (redemption of captives) and strengthen our connection to Klal Yisrael (the community of Israel). No one, including the Israel government, doubts the Quara Jews' claims as Jews. The main obstacle that held up their making aliya was the Israeli government not acting quickly. Israeli officials cite staff and budget limitations as the primary reasons for the delay in processing the Quara Jews' immigration application. In addition, the Israeli government explained the delay on the basis of a fear that the Felash Mura will attempt to infiltrate this group. (See section entitled The Felash Mura.) Since there was no controversy over their Jewish status and conditions in Quara are poor, the UAHC/RAC actively advocated that the Israeli government bring the Quara Jews to Israel as quickly as possible. The Quara Jews are pleased with the process, even though it was a very slow start. The Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland has taken an active role in supporting this and other resettlement projects. The Curriculum Resources Department of the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland (JECC) has developed a Response Curriculum as a resource for K-12 teachers to help place this honorable humanitarian effort into a Jewish context. The Felash Mura The Felash Mura are Ethiopians who converted to Christianity within the past century and are now reclaiming their Jewish ancestry and attempting to immigrate to Israel. There continues to be much debate within the Jewish community about the Felash Mura. The best estimates are that there are at least 13,000 Felash Mura living in Ethiopia � 8,000 in Addis Ababa and 5,000 in Gondar, with many more still living in their villages. In 1997, after the last wave of immigration that emptied out the refugee camps in Addis Ababa, the Israeli government, NACOEJ and the JDC had been telling the Felash Mura to stay in their villages, and that they would process applications to immigrate to Israel from there. However, under the encouragement of Avraham Nigusi and the South Wing to Zion (an Israeli advocacy group for the Felash Mura) many decided to leave and take their chances in the cities, believing that this would put additional pressure on the Israeli government to act. Those in Addis Ababa are now living as displaced persons � as "urban dwellers" � under the most miserable conditions imaginable. Most of them are practicing what appears to be a Western-style "Orthodox Judaism," laying teffilin each morning and observing Shabbat, and most are willing to undergo conversion. Some of them also have first-degree relatives living in Israel. The JDC has opened two medical clinics in Addis Ababa and Gondar, on a humanitarian basis, to screen the population regarding their medical condition and to inoculate children. At the present time, NACOEJ and the JDC are continuing to work together to ensure that the Ethiopian Jews are being absorbed in Israel. However, they have decided not to cooperate in regards to the Felash Mura living in Ethiopia, due to their policy differences. In March 1999, The RAC sent out a packet to Rabbis that explained the issue and told congregations what organizations could use their financial support. The Israeli government claims that these people are not Jewish, had been living in their villages as Christians, and have no right to make aliyah under the Law of return. They have also stated their concern that if they allow this group to emigrate, even under the Law of Entry, there will be another 15,000 people making a similar claim the next week, as the standard of living in Israel is far higher than that in Ethiopia. Further complicating matters is that the Ethiopian community in Israel is divided on whether or not the Felash Mura should be brought over. In addition, the Israeli government does not want to see American Jewish aid supporting the community there, as it believes it will give the Felash Mura the false impression that they will be able to emigrate. Resolutions UAHC Relief and Rescue for Ethiopian Jews (1985) Ethiopian Jewry, 1984 Falashas 1979 Commending Pro-Falasha Committee in Helping Abyssinian Jews, 1935 Encouraging Support of JDC 1935 CCAR Responsum on the Falash Muras Ethiopian Youth in Israel, March 1995 Absorption of Ethiopian Immigrants, June, 1993 Freedom for Ethiopian Jewry, June 1991 Ethiopian Jewry, June 1986 On Ethiopian Jewry, June 1984 On Ethiopian Jewry March, 1983 Ethiopian Jewry, July 1982 Black Jews of Ethiopia, March 1979 Leo Baeck 1964 Action Projects Letter-writing campaign Send letters to: Prime Minister Ehud Barak Israel Embassy 3514 International Drive, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008 A sample letter follows: Dear Mr. Prime Minister: As of this writing, there are 2,500 Beta Yisrael living in Quara and more than 13,000 Felash Mura, many of whom have legitimate claims to immigrate to Israel, who are living in refugee camps in Gondar and Addis Ababa. These people are living under horrendous conditions, where poverty, starvation and disease are a part of their daily lives. We urge you to assign the necessary personnel in Israel and Ethiopia, to examine fairly and expeditiously their applications and to assist in providing humanitarian aid for the people living in refugee camps while the applications are being processed. Furthermore, we call upon the Israeli government to review the Law of Entry and its application through a process that would include politicians from across the political spectrum, leading intellectuals, advocates, and religious leaders. Our tradition teaches that once you begin a mitzvah, you are obligated to see it through to its completion. Israel must not turn its back on our brothers and sisters living in Ethiopia, but must live up to her great ideal as the haven for distressed Jews everywhere. Sincerely, Sincerely, (Your Name) Provide Assistance to Felash Mura and Quara Jews in Ethiopia "Adopt-a-Beta-Israel-child in Ethiopia": the North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry (NACOEJ) is sponsoring this program to provide basic meals for children living in refugee camps and waiting for their applications to be processed by the Israeli government. For only $39 you can provide nutritious meals for one student for one year. Encourage your religious school classes to use their tzedakah money to "adopt" a student. Medical Assistance for Felash Mura: the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) has set up a special "Ethiopia" mailbox for donations to their humanitarian effort to screen the entire population of Felash Mura regarding their medical conditions, and to inoculate children. Send your checks (made payable to JDC: Ethiopia mailbox) to: Will Recant, JDC 711 Third Avenue New York, NY 10017 Help Ethiopian students already in Israel NACOEJ is collecting school supplies for Ethiopian students living in Israel. Students need pens, tape, colored pencils, glue-sticks, construction paper, cassette tapes, English children's songs, simple books in English, school bags, jump ropes, calculators, and more. You can send your supplies to NACOEJ. Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) The Reform Movement's social action office in Israel both directly services the Ethiopian olim and advocates on their behalf before the Knesset and key government ministries. IRAC's programs include: Legal assistance for new immigrants through legal advocacy centers in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa and Kiryat Shmona (additional offices in formation); Advocacy to the Government of Israel on housing, education, job training, and religious freedom. Israel Association for Ethiopian Jews (IAEJ) Founded by a long-time Israeli advocate for Ethiopian Jews, the IAEJ is an independent, non-sectarian organization devoted to advocacy on behalf of the Ethiopian olim, especially around the critical issues of housing, employment, and education. IAEJ's activities include: Monitoring the absorption progress of the Ethiopian olim to catch, and to respond to, problems the olim encounter; Advocacy Before the Knesset and Key Government Ministries; Ensuring that Ethiopian olim are included in government programs to benefit recent immigrants (e.g. housing and business loans). Leo Baeck Education Center Located in Haifa, Leo Baeck runs a Leadership Program that annually prepares approximately 16 young Ethiopian olim for higher education while teaching them leadership skills which help them organize their communities. For More Information To learn more, contact RAC Legislative Assistant Rachel Glast, or utilize the following resources: Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) Israel Association for Ethiopian Jews (IAEJ) North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry (NACOEJ) World Union for Progressive Judaism SOVIET JEWRY AND ANTI-SEMITISM IN THE FORMER SOVIET UNION Russian President Boris Yeltsin announced his resignation on December 31, 1999. In a nationally televised broadcast, President Yeltsin appointed Prime Minister Vladimir Putin as his successor. In Moscow on May 7, 2000, Putin took the presidential oath of office and pledged to build a powerful and democratic nation. Leaders of the National Council on Soviet Jewry met with President Putin in Moscow when he was head of the FSB, the successor agency to the KGB's domestic security wing. During the meeting, he was particularly forceful in describing the need to counter the rise of Islamic extremists in Russia and elsewhere. In addition, Putin was actively engaged in the government's efforts in combating the rise of anti-Semitism in Russia and in addressing security needs of Jewish institutions. That stated, anti-Semitism is a tragic part of Russia's history and unfortunately, a part of present times as well. Ominously, it is also an increasingly visible element of its contemporary political culture. Recently, government officials in Russia have used hatred as a political platform. Accusatory anti-Semitic comments from several Communist party officials assert that Russia's current economic downfall should be blamed on the Jews. Communist Party Deputy Albert Makashov wrote in an editorial that a Yid is a "blood-sucker feeding on the misfortunes of other people." He not only blames Jews for the economy, but also advocates establishing a quota on the number of Jews allowed in Russia as well as reinstating the Pale of Settlement. He also used a rally to chant "death to the Yids" while demonstrators cheered. Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov expressed in an open letter that there is a Zionist conspiracy to seize power in Russia and that the "Zionist capital" is to be blamed for Russia's declining economy. "Our people are not blind," Zyuganov wrote. "They cannot but see that Zionization of the government authorities of Russia was one of the reasons of the present catastrophic conditions of the country, mass impoverishment and dying out of its population." He also compared Zionism to Fascism: "The only difference between them is that Hitler's Nazism was performing under the guise of German nationalism and sought world supremacy openly. And Zionism, performing under the guise of Jewish nationalism, is operating stealthily, using other people's hands." Russia's parliament gave its implicit endorsement to such comments when a motion for a censure against Makashov was denied. If Russia's own government does not speak out against such hatred, it can only be assumed that these sentiments are embraced and ready to plague communities. These statements are especially dangerous when the masses through television broadcasts and rallies hear them. Secretary of State Madeline Albright raised the issue of anti-Semitism publicly and privately with President Boris Yeltsin, Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and other parliamentary officials on her trip to the Former Soviet Union during the winter of 1999. She expressed her concern of a country trying to implement democracy continues to use anti-Semitic comments to raise political issues. The Senate signed a letter to the Russian government stating that a democracy does not tolerate such actions of hatred, especially by those who determine policy. It commented that the U.S. deplores acts of hatred and that U.S. relations would be hampered if such behavior continued. All but one Senator signed the letter. Resolutions UAHC Soviet Jewry, 1989 Soviet Jewry, 1987 Soviet Jewry, 1986 Soviet Jewry, 1979 Immigration for Stranded Russian Jews, 1978 Soviet Jewry, 1971 Soviet Jewry, 1969 Soviet Jewry, 1965 Soviet Jewry, 1965 Soviet Jewry, 1963 CCAR Soviet Jewry, 1991 Soviet Jewry, 1990 Soviet Jewry, 1989 Soviet Jewry, 1987 Soviet Jewry, 1986 Soviet Jewry (I), 1985 Soviet Jewry (II), 1985 Soviet Jewry, 1984 Soviet Jewry, 1983 Soviet Jewry, 1979 Soviet Jewry, 1978 Soviet Jewry, 1977 Soviet Jewry, 1975 Soviet Jewry, 1973 Soviet Jewry, 1972 Press Releases Reform Jewish Movement Expresses Extreme Disappointment With Today's Iranian Court Decision, 9/21/00 Union of American Hebrew Congregations Condemns Russian Politican for Bigoted, Anti-Religious Statements, 7/3/96 For More Information To learn more, contact RAC Legislative Assistant Danielle Hirsch, or visit the following websites: American Jewish Committee Anti-Defamation League (ADL) National Conference on Soviet Jewry Union of Councils for Soviet Jews (UCSJ)
http://www.rac.org/issues/issuewj.html
