Kehillath Shalom Synagogue is one of only seven synagogues in the entire country to receive a Legacy Heritage Innovation Project Israel Engagement Grant. We were awarded the grant because of a unique project, “Operation Sheba.” The core element of our project has been the building of a relationship with the Brandt School serving an Ethiopian-Israeli community in Neve Yaakov, Jerusalem, by pairing our children with Ethiopian-Israeli children and adults with adults. This growing relationship has engaged both our Religious School students and our adult population and has also provided the impetus for deepening our synagogue’s overall engagement with Israel.

The Ethiopian Jews have a unique history and culture. We are interested in Ethiopian Jews because although they were isolated from the rest of the Jewish world for millennia, they faithfully maintained ancient practices and reverence for Torah. Through Operation Moses and Operation Solomon, these communities were rescued from war and famine and airlifted to modern Israel.

Operation Sheba has been integrated into and enriched many aspects of our synagogue’s activities. Our entire congregation was involved in a pre-Chanukah collection of letters, coats, and English language games that were brought to Israel and delivered to our new friends at the Brandt School in Jerusalem. We have created interesting programs inspired by Operation Sheba or interest in Israel: Ecology in Israel/Tu B’Shevat; “Into the Kitchen: Ethiopian Israeli Cooking”; screening of “Live and Become,” a film about an Ethiopian boy’s rescue by Israel; Friday Night Forum: “Israel and the Media,” featuring Gary Kenzer from HonestReporting, etc.)

We are looking forward to more exciting events and working with our Ethiopian Israeli partners to expand our relationship.