ON THE WINGS OF EAGLES: A 3-Event Program Focusing on the Ethiopian Jewish Community

This January, the IJWC will present two films and an interview that focus on the Beta Yisrael (Ethiopian Jewish community) in Israel. Due to several government-assisted rescue operations, Israel is home to the largest Ethiopian Jewish community in the world.

As of March 2022, approximately 160,500 Ethiopian Jews live in Israel. Most of the community immigrated in three major waves assisted by the government of Israel:

·      Operation Moses (1984) and its immediate follow-up in January 1985, Operation Joshua

·      Operation Solomon (1991)

The community is also made up of the Falash Mura, Ethiopian Jews who because of persecution and political pressure had converted to Christianity during the past two centuries.

Although the 1984 Operation Moses brought thousands of Ethiopian Jews to Israel under dangerous conditions, thousands of their relatives, neighbors and friends remained in Ethiopia awaiting rescue. Exodus ’91 is an extraordinary docudrama that follows Israeli diplomat Asher Naim on a seemingly insurmountable mission to bring 14,000 of this ancient community to Israel. In 1991, as Ethiopia is collapsing under famine and a civil war, the diplomat tries to negotiate the release of the remaining Ethiopian Jews, all the time navigating the treacherous world of bureaucracy and international politics. The result was Operation Solomon, one of the largest airlifts in history.

This film includes a ticket to the documentary "Tzvika" and a recorded interview with Tzvika Iskias, which will be presented at the end of his film. For details about "Tzvika" go to: https://watch.eventive.org/eastbayjewishfilmyearround/play/6361ab66e9d8e0006141c915.

Sponsored by EBIJFF in partnership with the CCJCC, Cong. B'nai Shalom, Cong. B'nai Tikvah, Diablo Valley Hadassah and the Consulate General of Israel to the Pacific Northwest.

Underwriters include the Goodman Family Supporting Foundation and the Consulate General of Israel.