|
ETHIO-AMERICAN
TRADE
Ethiopia
Index Services
|
|
Judaic
Traditions in Ethiopian Village
A tour itinerary, "In the Footsteps of the Queen of Sheba," was created by Liberty/Drahim Travel in cooperation with Ethiopian Airlines to promote the new property. The journey begins in Ethiopia at the Hilton Addis Ababa, includes stays at the Hilton Tel Aviv, Hilton Jerusalem and culminates at the new Hilton Queen of Sheba in Eilat. ISRAELI
FOCUS ON LAND OF THE QUEEN OF
SHEBA Two Israeli filmmakers are trying to increase that number by putting a new focus on the "Land of Queen of Sheba." Ethiopian born Fasil Legesse, one of the founders of the Amharic program on Israel Radio, and veteran film director, Dan Wolman (recipient of the 1999 Israel Film Festival's Lifetime Achievement Award) , through their unique film production company, FASILDAN, are changing the lens through which Ethiopia is viewed. Part of their vision was to train Ethiopian Israelis as directors, cameramen, sound men, editors, hosts, announcers, interviewers and newscasters, and through them, build a "bridge back to Africa." Wolman's personal attachment for Ethiopia stemmed from his early childhood years in Ethiopia where his father, a medical doctor, was serving with General Wingate in the British Army during World War II. Dr. Wolman became the personal physician to Emperor Haile Selassie when he fell ill. In fact, the Emperor himself claimed to be the 225th monarch of the Solomonic Dynasty, a direct descendant of Menelik I, son of King Solomon and Queen of Sheba. In 1990, Fasil's mother, who had been chief nurse at a hospital in Addis Ababa immigrated to Israel (nine years after Fasil) and in her search for employment was introduced to Dr. Wolman. As the two families became close, Fasil and Dan, both working in communications, discussed the need for training Ethiopian Israelis in broadcast media. While at the same time, address another important need, to educate Israelis and Jews of Ethiopian heritage about the historical connections between the two countries and promote the tourist attractions of modern Ethiopia. "Through Our Own Eyes," Fasildan's highly successful weekly TV series in Amharic and Tigrinia (languages spoken by Ethiopian Jews) with Hebrew subtitles, is a product of this creative partnership. It is the only program on Israeli TV
produced for and by Israelis of Ethiopian Heritage. Tourism
is incorporated into the focus of this TV series. In a
recent interview on the program, Ethiopia's Commissioner for
Tourism, H.E. Yusuf Abdullahi Sukkar, invites Israelis of
Ethiopian Heritage to come back and explore their roots, and
other Israelis to explore the diversity of Ethiopia and the
historic sites that tie the two countries together. It is interesting to note that the site of the original "Felasha" village has become a tourist site, although no Jewish Ethiopians live there now, and the local inhabitants who have moved in carry on the traditional Felasha style pottery featuring figurines with Jewish themes, the Star of David, the Lion of Judah, King Solomon and Queen of Sheba with son Menelik; Lalibela is called "the new Jerusalem" and the Stars of David motif can be found throughout many of its churches; in Addis Ababa, there is the Adenite Synagogue and cemetery in addition to the compound of the Beta Israel. In January 2000, Fasildan began a collaboration with Ethiopian Television to produce a weekly TV show. A first for Ethiopia, "The Alebeshow," features an Ethiopian comedian, Alebachew, in a entertaining talk show format. Although the show's director is an Ethiopian Israeli, Tebaba Azena, all other members of the production crew are from Ethiopian Television. As a result of this partnership, Fasildan was also invited to help train their colleagues at Ethiopian Television in broadcasting techniques. The first such workshop takes place in June when Fasildan is bringing a cameraman and an editor (a woman) to conduct a workshop for close to 25 local TV technicians. Fasil Legesse credits the Israeli Ambassador to Ethiopia, H.E. Ariel Kerem, with securing the funding for this training program. "This is a groundbreaking project since it is the first time the Israeli Government has funded a project of this nature in Ethiopia," said Mr. Legesse. Realizing their vision, Fasil Legesse and Dan Wolman have built a new bridge back from the Land of King Solomon to the Land of Queen of Sheba. Karen Hoffman is Public Relations and
Media Relations Director of Africa Travel Association in New
York. Beta
Israel: Continuing their ancestors 7:30 AM: They stream in by the hundreds; Ethiopian men, women and children, from their homes in Addis Ababa and the surrounding villages. Members of Beta Israel (House of Israel) gather in the Jewish compound in Addis Ababa for morning prayers, continuing the ancient Judaic traditions of their ancestors. As they face the Ark of the Torah, the men and women are separated by a rope used as the traditional "mehitza" (divider). As is the custom, the men wear Kipot (Jewish skull caps) and Tallitim (Jewish prayer shawls) which are strikingly similar to the Ethiopian "Shama," (a traditional shawl used for church and other occasions). These Ethiopian Jews, also known as "Felashas" (strangers), are the remaining members of the Beta Israel Community. For millennia, Judaism was the dominant religion of northwest Ethiopia. When Christianity made its way to this part of the world, the two religions intermingled as nowhere else in the world, resulting in remarkably similar practices. The 1980's saw a mass immigration of the Beta Israel Community to Israel. Today, an estimated 7,000 remain in Gondar and 19,000 in Addis Ababa.
These embroideries are sewn into pillowcase covers, Passover Matza covers and Sabbath Challah covers, which are mostly sold in the US. The remaining Beta Israel are waiting to join their relatives in Israel, hoping to follow in the "footsteps of the Queen of Sheba."
Ethiopia
Through a Different
Lens
|
Travel
between Ethiopia and Israel, although dating back to the
legendary stories of the famous meeting of King Solomon and
the Queen of Sheba (Queen Makeda in Ethiopian legend), has
recently taken on the face of modern tourism. In May 1998,
Ethiopian Airlines inaugurated the first direct service from
Addis Ababa to Tel Aviv. Last November, the new Hilton Queen
of Sheba opened at the Red Sea resort of Eilat (Israel)
where the Queen's caravan was likely to have passed on her
famous journey to Jerusalem.