Memorial Ceremony

Memorial Ceremony for Ethiopian Jews Who Died in Sudan

Sapir College was honored to host a moving ceremony in memory of the 4,000 Ethiopian Jews, who died during their Aliyah journey to Israel, in the refugee camps in Sudan during Operation Achim. The Dean of Students’ Community Engagement Unit, in collaboration with the Municipality of Sderot and the Sderot Community Center, organized this special event on campus.

Shoshana Talala and Idan Hezekis, coordinators of the Kanfei Yonah Program, led the memorial with excerpts of testimonies of Ethiopian Jews who made the very hazardous trek to Sudan and on the way experienced the unbearable loss of family members. In addition, they screened the video of Rina Indigao, telling her story of her long journey to Israel.
At the ceremony, Alon Davidi, Mayor of Sderot, said: "The Ethiopian community is a significant component in the special mosaic, here in Sderot. Each year, we ensure the commemoration of the events that distinguish this community, one of which is the Memorial Day for Ethiopian Jews Who Died in Sudan, which expresses both the enormous pain and dedication of the community in their efforts to realize their dream to make Aliyah to Israel. Thank you to all who took an active part in organizing and participating in the important ceremonies that commemorate the Ethiopian Jews who perished on their way to Israel."

Meir Abergil, Director of the Community Engagement Unit in Dean of Students’ Office, said: "The journey to Jerusalem of the Beta Israel community, our Ethiopian Jewish brothers and sisters, is a very important part of the Zionist story, one of a strong and steadfast community. This community follows its dreams and succeeds in fulling them. However, they paid a very heavy price, losing their best sons and daughters. This pain lives within them to this day. I want to thank our students in the Kanfei Yonah project, who participate in recording the testimonies and perpetuating the stories to preserve them for generations to come. Each year, these students produce and organize this special Memorial Ceremony commemorating the Ethiopian Jews who perished on the way to Israel. I also thank the team of the Community Engagement Unit in the Dean of Students Office for their help and assistance."