Dreaming of Jerusalem is a 25-minute documentary short about the Jewish community in Gondar, Ethiopia.
There has been a Jewish community in Ethiopia for 2000 years. The origin of this community is still a matter of speculation and dispute since they were cut off from global Jewish communities until the mid-19th century. Over the last 40 years, more than 100,000 Ethiopian Jews have emigrated to Israel. One group, however, has been left behind, because their families were converted to Christianity by missionaries in the late nineteenth century. Although this group has returned to practicing Jewish religion and customs, they are still largely blocked from emigrating to Israel. Today, approximately 12,000 members of this community remain in Gondar and Addis Ababa, awaiting the chance to complete their journey to the Promised Land.
STORIES
Synagogue Head
Sitotaw
Teen Activist
Inoa
Soccer Coach
Getu
MEET THE FILMMAKERS
Peter Decherney
Co-Director
Sosena Solomon
Co-Director
SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY
Struggle to Save Ethiopian Jewry (SSEJ), a U.S. based 501(c)(3) founded in 2000 to assist tens of thousands of Ethiopian Jews, is the main source of humanitarian assistance for the Jewish community in Ethiopia. Its programs include feeding centers, medical care, Jewish and secular education, as well as religious and other communal activities.
Please consider supporting the communities in Gondar and Addis Ababa.
CONTACT
For news about the community and film, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram:
Dreaming of Jerusalem
Dreaming of Jerusalem