Falashas, The
Book Description
This compelling historical account unveils the remarkable journey of Ethiopia's ancient Jewish community, the Falashas or Beta Israel, whose centuries-long quest for recognition culminated in dramatic rescue operations that transported nearly 50,000 people to Israel.
David Kessler traces the origins of this extraordinary community back through biblical times, exploring their connections to ancient Jewish settlements in Egypt and the Meroitic kingdom of present-day Sudan. The narrative weaves together tradition, legend, and historical evidence to illuminate how this isolated community maintained their Jewish identity across millennia while facing tremendous challenges.
The book chronicles their persistent struggle for acceptance as an authentic branch of the Jewish people, battling skepticism from both religious and secular authorities. This struggle reached its climax in the desperate conditions of the 1980s and early 1990s, when two massive secret airlifts became the only means of survival for the community.
Kessler's work offers readers insight into themes of faith, perseverance, and belonging that resonate far beyond this specific historical context. The story demonstrates how spiritual conviction can sustain communities through centuries of isolation and hardship, ultimately leading to recognition and homecoming.
This revised edition includes enhanced material addressing scholarly debates about the community's origins, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of both the historical narrative and contemporary discussions surrounding this fascinating chapter of Jewish history.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~6 hours)
📄 Length: 224 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore General
- ✓ Explore Judaism
- ✓ Explore Religion
- ✓ Explore Joden
- ✓ Explore Ethiopia -- Ethnic relations
- ✓ Explore Jews -- Ethiopia -- History
- ✓ Explore Jewish studies
- ✓ Explore Judaism - General
