I read an article in the September 19, 2003 issue of the Jerusalem Post which talked about some Ethiopian teenagers living in Ashdod. According to the article these kids have a whole bunch of issues and concerns…many of which Lura and I felt we could address. (Our beloved Rebecca, in the purple on my left translated while Lura snapped a few shots).
1."We get no respect from the police!" Our answer: You have to earn respect. For example joining the Civil Patrol would be a big plus and a step in the right direction.
2.“In Ethiopia I wasn’t good enough because I am Jewish. Here I’m not good enough because I’m black” After our response to this, they changed their tune. We reminded them about Operation Solomon, May 25, 1991. "Who sent the 35 planes that flew on Sabbath recuing 14,324 Ethiopian Jews?" "Who paid the $35 million USD ransom demanded by the Ethiopian regime for your people’s release?" (And so on and so forth).
3.“…being called kushi (nigger) by their classmates.” After we showed them the facts, letting them read for themselves from the Torah (Books of Moses) in Hebrew and Amharic (their native tongue)…they were thinking about wearing t-shirts saying “I’m Kushie and Proud!” (Cush is the Biblical name for Ethiopia
4.We also shared with them some interesting facts about their DNA and the priesthood which literally blew their socks off!!!
These kids are very impressive. They even publish a bi-monthly newsletter. Their 17-member group is called Tesfa, the Ethiopian word for hope.
They were so very interested in what we had to say! We are all looking forward to next month when we’ll pay them another visit.
Prior to us leaving I asked if any of them knew how to play chess, they all answered "No". I then left a chess set with instructions in Hebrew...call it lesson 101 (smile).
Upon arriving home, we gave copies of Tesfa's newsletter to some of our youth. Saying, “Hopefully you will be meeting these guys soon!”
Edwin Beckford
(11/4/03)