Wednesday, September 10, 2025 • 6 pm Israel Time • 11 am EST
What does Zionism signify for a community whose yearning for Jerusalem has existed for centuries, long before the rise of the modern Zionist movement? In this episode of Zionist Talks, host Corinne Baum interviews Naftali Aklum, an educator, activist, and CEO of Yerus, for a heartfelt discussion about the history, challenges, and hopes of Israel’s Ethiopian Jewish community.
>> For more information on the World Zionist Village, visit worldzionistvillage.org.
Aklum, who moved to Israel with his family as an infant, shares insights on how Ethiopian Jews have longed for Zion for generations. He highlights a lesser-known part of history: the community’s first attempt to reach Jerusalem in 1862, years before Herzl brought Zionism to global attention.
From his home in Beersheba, Aklum explains his mission to integrate the story of Ethiopian Jewry into Israeli society. He talks about distinctive religious traditions, the significance of the Sigd holiday, and the prospects to promote Ethiopian Jewish culture at the upcoming World Zionist Village.
The conversation doesn’t shy away from difficult questions either. Asked about accusations that Israel is an apartheid state, Aklum responds candidly. Drawing on his perspective as a Black Israeli, he argues that such comparisons diminish the true horror of apartheid in South Africa and misrepresent the inclusive, opportunity-rich reality he sees in Israel today.
>> For more information on the World Zionist Village, visit worldzionistvillage.org.
This article was written in cooperation with JNF - USA.