This month, I want to dedicate our newsletter to a truly special holiday — one that belongs to one of the most remarkable Jewish communities in Israel: the Ethiopian Jewish community.
Imagine a Jewish community that lived for centuries, believing it was the last Jewish community on earth, utterly unaware that other Jews existed. That is the incredible story of the Ethiopian Jews — known as Beta Israel.
According to their tradition, the Ethiopian Jews trace their ancestry back to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba (around 950 BCE). Other versions tell of ancient migrations along the Nile or across the Red Sea from Yemen. However it happened, we’re speaking of an ancient and deeply rooted Jewish community.
For centuries, Beta Israel lived in isolated mountain villages, fiercely preserving their Jewish identity. Their Judaism was based solely on the Written Torah — they had never heard of the Mishnah or the Talmud. If the Torah said to rest in your tent on Shabbat, they did exactly that. They celebrated only the biblical holidays — unaware of Purim and Hanukkah.
Their most special and unique holiday is Sigd, celebrated this year in Jerusalem on November 20, 2025. The word Sigd means “prostration” or “worship,” and for generations it has been a day of renewing the covenant with God, just as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai.
Sigd takes place 50 days after Yom Kippur and includes fasting, prayers, and a deep longing for Jerusalem. Historically, the community would gather on a high, pure mountain, symbolizing Mount Sinai. The kesim (spiritual leaders) would carry the Orit (the community’s Torah), recite prayers, read the story of the revelation at Sinai, and renew the bond between the people and God.
After the prayers, the community would descend joyfully from the mountain, singing songs of praise, redemption, and yearning for Jerusalem — and then celebrate with music, dancing, and feasting. Traditional foods like injera (Ethiopian flatbread), homemade beer, and festive meat dishes were prepared for the occasion.
In the photo, the kesim (the Ethiopian Jewish religious leaders) read from the Torah before thousands of celebrants — both Ethiopian and non-Ethiopian. The umbrellas are there because in Jerusalem, about 50 days after Yom Kippur, the rainy season begins. In the background is a view of the Old City, looking from south to north.
Most of the Ethiopian Jewish community immigrated to Israel during Operation Moses (1984–85) and Operation Solomon (1991). Yet some Jews remain in Ethiopia, and Sigd continues to serve both as a reminder of those left behind and a memorial for those who perished on the way to Israel.
Sigd is one of the few examples of a Jewish holiday born in the Diaspora that has successfully migrated to Israel, adapted, and survived. In Israel’s early years, many Diaspora traditions were lost in the effort to create a “new Israeli identity.” Sigd, however, has endured — and today it’s officially recognized as a national holiday, celebrated by all Israelis.
Each year, Sigd is celebrated on the Hass Promenade in Jerusalem, overlooking the Old City — a breathtaking view that makes the prayers for Zion come alive. For years I’ve wanted to go, and this year I hope my family and I will finally join the celebration after Carmel’s kindergarten. I’ve even volunteered to tell the children there the story of the Ethiopian Jewish community — and I can’t wait to share it with them.
Below is a stamp issued by the Israel Postal Service in honor of the Sigd holiday.
Tourism in Israel is picking up again — so if you, your family, or your friends are planning a visit, I’d love to help plan your trip and guide you through some of Israel’s most meaningful stories and sites.
As always, if you’d like to chat about Israel, politics, or culture, reach out. Always happy to connect.
Warm regards,
Hilik
(We’re counting down — only three are still waiting to come home.)