MY FAMILY
THE BETA ISRAEL CURRICULUM
HISTORY II: 1632-1892
Teachers should now quote from Rabbi Dr. Shalom’s book, From Sinai to Ethiopia, to explain:
“[Between 1632-1769] the political center of the kingdom begins to migrate to the Gondar region. The Jews who were expelled from their lands are forced to participate in the construction of fortifications and churches in the new capital of Gondar. In recognition of the women of Beta Israel, who are known for their talents in preparing dyes and decorative items, the Jews are again granted land, and their general status improves.”27
Teachers should then elaborate:
This means is that the very skills that the Beta Israel developed when their land was taken from them gave them a way to serve other Ethiopians, which eventually, gave them a chance to get land again.
Teachers should quote again from Rabbi Dr. Shalom’s book to explain:
“[Between 1755-1855], after the murder of Emperor Iyo’as in 1769, an extended period of unstable rule begins, and the power of local military leaders grows. The Beta Israel loses all the economic, social, and religious advantages they had achieved during the Gondar period. This period is a difficult one in the religious life of Beta Israel, and according to tradition, they are unable to practice religious rituals for forty years.”28
Teachers should then tell students to reflect on what they just heard:
Think about how difficult this period was for the Beta Israel on every level: economic, social, and religious. The Beta Israel were deeply religious – this was the center of their being. Imagine your family or Jewish community was told they could no longer practice as Jews. What would you do?
Teachers should conclude this segment by explaining to the students that:
“During the period [between 1888-1892] called Kifu Qen [the Terrible Days], about half of the Beta Israel perished in a severe famine.”29
Having explained the historical context, teachers should ask students to produce a timeline reflecting the experiences of the Beta Israel between 1270-1892, particularly the religious, social, and economic challenges. Students should be encouraged to use visual images to depict these events, and the accompanying emotions experienced by Beta Israel over the course of this 622-year period.
25 Shalom, From Sinai to Ethiopia, 211.
26 Ibid
27 Ibid, p. 66.
28 Ibid
29 Ibid, p. 69.
