Sigd, a national holiday in Israel is one of the unique holidays of the Beta Israel (Ethiopian Jewish) community, and is celebrated on the 29 of the Hebrew month of MarCheshvan. One aspect of the holiday celebrates the aliyah of the Ethiopians Jews, ending their exile. The students in the BPY middle school were fascinated to hear from their own teacher, Rav Aviv about his life as a young child, as a shepherd in his Ethiopian village and the journey his family made to Eretz Yisrael. Upon landing in Israel, he kissed the ground having thought that Israel was only a dream, not a reality. Thank you Rav Aviv Abebe! Students understand how we are all am echad. What a wonderfully rich educational lesson and a beautiful celebration of differences!
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