About 25 American students from the MTVA Seminary visited the International Center for the Study of Ethiopian Jewry at Ono Academic College to learn about Ono and Bete Israel. They toured the library, the simulation center where they got to simulate being a lawyer in courtroom or a health professional in a hospital and then practiced in the music recording facilities, the keyboard room and met with Maestro Yaron Gotfried, Director of Ono’s Music School.
After a coffee break, the students heard a lecture from Rabbi Dr. Sharon Shalom, the founder of Ono’s Ethiopian Center who shared the story of Bete Israel and his own Aliyah to Israel. He explained how Ethiopian Jewry is more focused on the language of the heart rather than the language of the head and how Bete Isarel sees the Land of Israel more as a dream than a refuge. Rav Sharon taught the group how Ethiopian Jews pray with their hands raised, humbly submitting to God’s will. Everyone learned a lot and Ono looks forward to seeing the MTVA students again.
