A Bittersweet Reunion

In recent weeks, the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem has begun sponsoring flights to Israel for Ethiopian Jews long delayed in their hopes of moving to Zion because they were considered Falash Mura – forced converts to Christianity. Israel’s government finally approved requests for aliyah from 8,700 Jews still in Ethiopia, and the ICEJ paid for 100 airline seats in late summer as the latest wave made their way home.

Many of the newcomers were anxious to reunite with family members already in Israel and the Jewish Agency arranged for an ICEJ delegation to meet new immigrants at an absorption center near Jerusalem and to witness one very bittersweet family reunion.

Our host for the day was social worker Rivka, herself an Ethiopian immigrant who arrived as part of the famous “Operation Solomon” in 1991, when over 14,000 Ethiopian Jews were airlifted to Israel in only 34 hours. As she led us through the streets of Mevasseret Zion, we saw Ethiopian children playing happily on the sidewalks, and adults greeting one another outside their homes. Some 250 families and nearly as many singles currently stay in Israel’s largest absorption center.

Alemayehu and Luluagerush live in one of the small houses at the center. A week ago, the couple at last had the opportunity to hold their youngest son Tawari and his family in their arms. They had waited five years for this moment, and had never seen their two youngest grandchildren before.

Tawari and his wife Abebech waited in the Jewish Agency’s compound in Gondar province for ten years before they and their three small children were permitted to come to Israel in August. Tawari’s sister Mamit and her little daughter, Adar, were already in Israel and also came for the family reunion.

However, the joyous moment was also bittersweet as a number of other family members were still missing, and one brother’s absence was especially tragic. Four siblings have been waiting with their families in Ethiopia to come to Israel. Two months ago, the family in Israel sent funds to Gsat, one of the brothers, to cover his journey. But he will never make the trek now, as he was viciously attacked and robbed of the money, before he was killed.

Amid the joy of finally seeing each other after so long, Mamit and Abebech also had tears running down their cheeks over the loss of Gsat.

“We are afraid that the same will happen to our other brothers and sisters when we send them money”, Mamit sobbed.

Mamit was the first member of the family to arrive in Israel when she came with her husband twelve years ago. Like many other Ethiopian Jews, she was drawn by Genesis 12:1: “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.”

At the time, Mamit was 18 years old and pregnant with her first child. To go to Israel without her family was very hard. “I never dreamed that it would take seven years until my parents were allowed to make aliyah”, she said.

But Mamit came to Israel to be a part of the Jewish nation and learn more about her people’s faith. The shy young girl developed into a self-confident woman who is determined to bring the rest of her family home.

“Every day, I go to the Israeli Ministry of Interior or call them”, explained Mamit.

“On one hand, we are sad. But at the same time, I am bubbling over with joy”, said Tawari with a smile. “Here in Israel, I have the feeling that I am home for the first time. It is wonderful to see my parents and my sister again and be together.”

The children seemed happy with their new home. After one week in this strange country, it all feels like a big adventure. The houses, the food, the landscape, the language – everything is different!

Back in Gondar, all prospective immigrants attend a three-month program to learn Hebrew and expand their knowledge of the Jewish religion. Tawari’s family is from western Ethiopia, near Sudan. The landscape is green, and rains abound. Their home town is largely Jewish, the biblical feasts are observed, and there is a synagogue and torah schools.

After moving to Gondar to await aliyah, Tawari found occasional work and baked unleavened bread for Passover each year. Today, he is so grateful to have finally made it to the Promised Land and is full of hope for the future.

“I hope that all my brothers and sisters also will come to Israel soon”, said Tawari. “I want to learn Hebrew, and study the laws and culture and faith of my nation. I also want to find a good job, to honourably support my family.”

Meanwhile, Mamit now has three children, speaks fluent Hebrew and enjoys her job as a social worker in a center for youth-at-risk.

“I encourage my family to study and learn. Education is the most important thing”, insisted Mamit.

“In the beginning, I was frustrated”, said mother Huluagerusch. “But we were lucky. Many people helped us and I am very happy that my dear son and my dear daughter are here now. We are very blessed and waiting for the others.”

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