Product Description

The dramatic and inspiring stories of Ethiopian Jews struggling to become Ethiopian Israelis. In 1977 there were about one hundred Ethiopian Jews in Israel; now there are more than one hundred thousand. Their exodus from their native land and their mass immigration to Israel is a unique historical event. This beautiful and touching book recounts the profound challenges and inspiring accomplishments of Ethiopian Jews struggling to become Ethiopian Israelis in captivating photographs and candid interviews. Featuring more than fifty men and women—religious leaders, soldiers, lawyers, students, actors, musicians, a member of the Knesset, and more—this fascinating book reveals their personal stories. It follows a historical narrative that traces how some Ethiopians became Jewish, how they got to Israel and how they experience Israel as a member of its most impoverished and culturally different minority. In their own words, they reveal their dreams, goals and struggles to become accepted and integrated without losing their own character, identity and values. They declare their devotion to their religious homeland and to freeing themselves from the illiteracy, unemployment, crime and alienation that plague their community. An outstanding Passover gift book. Len Lyons, PhD, is the author of six books on a variety of subjects. He spent two years meeting with key members of the Ethiopian Israeli community and arranged to have members photographed by the accomplished Israeli photographer, Ilan Ossendryver. Ilan Ossendryver has lived in Israel for twenty years and has photographed many major figures there.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1647800 in Books
• Published on: 2007-02-01
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 3.38 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 240 pages

From Booklist
Beta Israel (house of Israel) is the term by which Ethiopian Jews refer to themselves. Between 1977 and 1993, more than 100,000 of them were brought to Israel, leaving no Beta Israel community in Ethiopia today. Lyons indicates that he has presented their story as much as possible from their own perspective and includes their accomplishments as well as their struggles to function as equal participants in Israeli society. The conversations recorded here took place between spring 2004 and winter 2006 and are organized into eight chapters or themes. The 50 men and women interviewed include soldiers, students, religious leaders, actors, musicians, and a member of the Knesset. There are striking color photographs by Illan Ossendryver on almost every page and a foreword by Alan Dershowitz. Lyons, the author of six books, gives readers a well-balanced and discerning account of these people. George Cohen
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