Glossary
What is Sigd? Who are the Kessim? What's the difference between Beta Israel and Falash Mura? All essential community terms — in Hebrew, English, and Amharic.
32 terms
Absorption Basket (Sal Klita)
Initial financial assistance the state grants new immigrants in the first absorption months to cover basic living costs.
Aliyah from Ethiopia
Approximately 95,000 Ethiopian Jews made aliyah in three waves: Sudan (1984-1985), Solomon (1991), and Falash Mura (2003-ongoing).
Beta Israel
The traditional name of the Ethiopian-Jewish community. Today numbers approximately 160,000 in Israel.
ENP — Ethiopian National Project
A national partnership framework for advancing the Ethiopian-Israeli community, operating programs in education, youth, and excellence funding.
Ethiopian National Project (ENP)
A partnership of government, the Jewish Agency, federations and the community — focused on youth empowerment, academic excellence and parent involvement.
Fair / Adequate Representation
A legal principle requiring representation of certain groups — including Ethiopian-Israelis — in the public service proportional to their share of the population.
Falash Mura
Descendants of Ethiopian Jews who converted to Christianity in the 19th century. Government decisions in 2015, 2018, and 2024 enabled phased aliyah.
Fidel
An education nonprofit advancing the integration of Ethiopian-Israelis in schools — student mentoring, school-family mediation and teacher training.
Ge'ez
An ancient Semitic liturgical language used for prayer and scripture by Beta Israel. No longer spoken, but alive in liturgy.
Gondar
A city in northern Ethiopia and a historic center of Ethiopian-Jewish life; served as a gathering point of those awaiting aliyah to Israel.
Government Committees on the Ethiopian Community
A series of government committees that examined absorption policy, discrimination and equality toward Ethiopian-Israelis, leading to programs and policy changes.
HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin)
A blood test reflecting average blood-sugar levels over the past 3 months — the key metric for diabetes management.
Hesegim / ISEF — Excellence
Funding programs for excellent Ethiopian-Israeli students pursuing a B.A. or M.A. Tuition coverage + monthly stipend.
Housing Lottery (Lotar)
A lottery mechanism for the right to buy a discounted apartment under government housing programs — an opportunity track for young couples and the eligible.
Injera
A flat, spongy, slightly sour flatbread made from teff flour — the staple of Ethiopian cuisine, served as a base for stews (wot).
Israeli Association for Ethiopian Jews (IAEJ)
An advocacy organization working for equal opportunity and rights realization for Ethiopian-Israelis in education, employment and services.
Kessim
The traditional religious leaders of Beta Israel. In Israel today they are recognized as religious-cultural authorities but are not integrated into the official Chief Rabbinate.
Long-Term Care Benefit (Gimlat Siud)
A National Insurance benefit for elderly people dependent on others for daily activities — provided mainly as in-home care services.
National Insurance Institute (BTL)
The National Insurance Institute — the government body paying allowances (old-age, disability, child, long-term care, unemployment) and providing a social safety net.
Olim Beyahad
A career-mentorship organization for Ethiopian-Israeli university graduates. Connects students with senior mentors in industry.
Operation Moses
Covert November 1984 - January 1985 operation: ~8,000 Ethiopian Jews from Sudan to Israel. Climax of the Sudan journey.
Operation Solomon
May 24-25, 1991: 14,325 Ethiopian Jews flown to Israel in 36 hours via 35 aircraft from Addis Ababa.
Orit
The sacred scripture of Ethiopian Jewry — the Pentateuch (and more) in the Ge'ez language, the core text the Kessim read from.
Over-Policing
A phenomenon in which a particular group experiences heightened, disproportionate police enforcement — a central issue in Ethiopian-Israeli discourse.
Pinui-Binui (Evacuate-Rebuild)
An urban-renewal track in which old buildings are demolished and new ones built, with residents receiving a new apartment at no cost.
Police Internal Investigations Dept. (Mahash)
A Justice Ministry department investigating offenses by police officers — including complaints of police violence and unjustified use of force.
Sigd
An Ethiopian-Jewish community holiday observed on the 29th of Heshvan. Law 5774-2008 recognizes it as an official Israeli holiday.
Tebeka
Legal aid center for Ethiopian-Israelis. National leader on issues of racism, law enforcement, and civil rights.
Tene Briut
Israel's only community-health organization focused on Ethiopian-Israelis. Runs health navigators, medical translation, and prevention projects.
Tene Briut
A nonprofit promoting health in the Ethiopian-Israeli community — Amharic-speaking health mediators, diabetes and hypertension prevention.
The Jewish Agency for Israel
A global Jewish organization responsible for encouraging and managing aliyah to Israel — played a central role in the Ethiopian aliyah operations.
Visit Certificate (Igeret Bikur)
A temporary identity document issued to immigrants from Ethiopia at the start of the aliyah process, before receiving a permanent Israeli ID.