For 1500 years, Beta Israel held onto their Jewish traditions in Ethiopia, praying on the Sigd holiday to one day return to Jerusalem. This year (November 2009), Israel celebrates with them.

Ahhh, the memories. Tzvat (Safed) is one of the oldest towns in Israel, situated on mountain tops in the Upper Gallile, since the era of the 2nd Temple. It the center for Kabbalah scholars.

The history of the exile of the lost tribe of Menashe dates back over 2500 years. Hundreds of descendants believe they have found their ancient home in Samaria.

“He (Menashe) also will become a people, and he also will be great. However, his younger brother (Ephraim) will be greater than he, and his descendants (B’nei Efrayim) will become a multitude of nations. He blessed them that day, saying, ‘In you will Israel bless, saying, ‘G-d make you as Ephraim and as Menashe.’ He set Ephraim before Menashe” (Bereishit 48:19-20).

Ethiopian Jews in Israel – Jet Magazine Mar 31, 1955

Photo courtesy of Vieilles_annonces of Flickr

Yisrael Sheli

Just near the Carmel Market on the Nahalat Binyamin pedestrian walk.
Arts & Crafts Fair on Tuesdays and Fridays when the artists themselves are offering their creations.

Chantal, Nahalat Binymin Art & Crafts Fair. Tel Aviv

Hanging Hand painted Glass by Chantal

The Forgotten Refugees

The Forgotten Refugees

About the Award-Winning Documentary Film & Educational Portal

Buried beneath the headlines of the Middle East conflict is the nearly forgotten story of the region’s indigenous Jewish communities. In 1945, up to one million Jews lived in the Middle East outside of the Palestine Mandate. Within a few years, only a few thousand remained.

The Forgotten Refugees explores the history and destruction of Middle Eastern Jewish communities, some of which had existed for over 2,500 years. It chronicles the impact of the Arab Muslim conquest, the development of Judeo-Arab culture, and the modern rise of Arab nationalism that drove out hundreds of thousands of Jews from their homes and communities. This destruction is a significant loss for the Jewish people and for the Middle East.

Featuring testimony from Jews who fled Egypt, Libya, Iraq, Yemen, Morocco and Iran, the film explores the rich heritage and destruction of the Middle East’s age-old Jewish communities. Personal stories of refugees are interspersed with dramatic archival footage, including the mission to rescue Yemenite Jews.

The film represents a unique approach to educating the public about an integral but little known aspect of Middle East history.

Individual copies of The Forgotten Refugees will be available for purchase for $9.99 (plus shipping and handling).

To screen the film in your community or for more information, contact Sasha Giler at sg@davidproject.org or (617) 428-0012.

Produced by The David Project & IsraTV

The following photos are actually scanned coasters that I purchased from the gift shop at the Kibbutz Ein Gev located on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee near Tiberias. I love my coasters. (Click on the picture of  Jerusalem and the link will take you to a cute site with a pleasant little tune. The site itself is a slow loader but definitely worth the wait. I love the music.