When the State of Israel officially recognized Sigd as a national holiday, it felt as if history itself exhaled. For centuries, Ethiopian Jews gathered on the mountains of Ethiopia, fasting, praying, and dreaming of Jerusalem with a longing deeper than words. To see that ancient devotion embraced by the modern State of Israel was more than symbolic; it was a homecoming of the soul.
Every year, as we celebrate Sigd this month, Ethiopian Jews in white garments ascend the hills of Jerusalem, just as our ancestors ascended the cliffs of Gondar. It is one of the most powerful expressions of Jewish continuity anywhere in the world.
Israeli leaders attend Sigd ceremonies, offering blessings and affirmations. Jewish communities worldwide proudly express solidarity. For all this, we speak with full hearts. Recognizing Sigd is not a small gesture; it is an act of love that honors one of Judaism’s oldest communities.
But love invites honesty, and gratitude strengthens moral clarity. Honoring Sigd must be the beginning, not the end, of Israel’s responsibility toward its Ethiopian Jewish citizens. Symbolism is meaningful, but structural opportunity is transformative.
Reflecting Israel's diversity
Israel must ensure that the face it presents to the world truly reflects its diversity. Hostile critics attempt to portray Israel as a European colonial project, a claim that is false, malicious, and historically absurd. The strongest answer to that lie is visible truth: Israel is home to Jews from more than 100 countries.
Ethiopian Jews alone dismantle the colonial narrative. But for the world to see Israel’s richness clearly, Ethiopian Israelis must be represented not only in cultural celebrations but also in leadership, diplomacy, academia, and government.
Sigd reminds us that recognition without opportunity is incomplete. After the prayers and music, many Ethiopian Israelis return to daily challenges that remain unresolved. There are Ethiopian Israelis with master’s degrees, law degrees, MBAs, and doctorates working as cleaners, guards, or in jobs far below their capacity, not because of lack of skill, but because structural barriers persist. This is more than a personal injustice; it is a national waste of human potential.
Israel invested immense effort to bring our community home through Operation Moses, Operation Solomon, Operation Dove’s Wings, and ongoing aliyah initiatives. These missions were heroic acts of love and responsibility. But once people arrive, the task must shift from rescue to advancement. Not just arrival, but access. Not just recognition, but opportunity.
A patriotic investment and fulfillment of prophecy
Thoughtful affirmative inclusion is not charity; it is a patriotic investment. It strengthens Israel’s economy, enriches its culture, deepens its moral standing, and enhances its diplomatic image. The Torah commands us to lift up those who come from hardship and open paths of opportunity. Inclusion is not a foreign idea; it is a Jewish obligation. I speak not from frustration but from lived experience.
My journey from Ethiopia to the United States to Israel reflects the beauty and complexity of our community. I hold advanced degrees and international diplomatic experience, yet I too have faced challenges entering Israel’s diplomatic and public sectors. I share this not to complain but to highlight a broader truth: If someone with my background faces barriers, imagine the hurdles confronting young Ethiopian Israelis building their futures.
At the same time, I feel profound gratitude. The Israeli government has invested heavily in our community through education, housing, military integration, and social programs. Global Jewish communities have supported our aliyah and strengthened our institutions. Many Israelis treat us with warmth and sincerity. These contributions are real, meaningful, and deeply appreciated.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks taught that societies must “make space for others if they wish God to make space for them.” Diversity, he believed, is a divine gift. Strengthening the Ethiopian-Israeli community is not merely kindness; it is a fulfillment of the prophetic vision that Jerusalem will gather its children from the “four corners of the earth.” Honoring Sigd honors that vision; empowering Ethiopian Israelis fulfills it.
The prayer of ancestors and aspirations of children
Israel must project to the world its true face: a vibrant, multi-colored mosaic of global Jewry. When an Ethiopian Israeli ambassador stands at the United Nations, the world will understand Israel differently. When Ethiopian Israelis lead in diplomacy, business, academia, medicine, and government, no critic will dare label Israel a colonial project.
This month, as leaders stand at Sigd ceremonies, let them honor not only the prayers of our ancestors but also the aspirations of our children. Let Sigd be a call to action, a moment when Israel commits to broaden opportunity and embrace all its communities as full partners.
We celebrate Sigd with love, pride, and joy. We thank the State of Israel and the global Jewish family for embracing our heritage. And with that same love, we ask Israel to embrace our future, to open doors, expand opportunities, and allow us to serve our country at the highest levels. Because when every community rises, Israel rises. And when Israel rises, it becomes an even brighter moral light to humanity.
The writer is author of an upcoming book, Moral Diplomacy for a Broken World: Inspired by the Vision of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.