Understanding the Beta Yisrael lineage -- the Shoresh (family tree)

People have questioned the Jewishness of the Beta Yisrael remaining in Ethiopia. I have personally examined the situation to the best of my ability and believe those we have helped in Ethiopia are 100% Jewish. I carefully followed the process by which each of the Beta Yisrael's lineage (family tree, known as the shoresh) was attested to. The applicant begin the process to officially recognize their Jewish ancestry and register as a Jew by applying to a local Ethiopian Jewish committee. Formerly there were two committees (in Addis and Gondar), but now these have been eliminated and there is no longer any mechanism to register as a Jew in Ethiopia. The committee examined the written Shoresh and evidence in the form of affidavits of at least three elder Jewish witnesses. Then, if successful, the committee issued a Jewish identification card for each family officially attesting that the card's bearer and family were fully Jewish to at least 4-7 generations and eligible for benefits as Jews.

It's very difficult for us as westerners to fully understand the situation with registration cards. Someone asked me, "Is the registration process a good thing? Is it meant to discriminate or help?" An analogy that might help you is to compare the situation of the Beta Yisrael in Ethiopia to the Marranos of fifteenth century Spain. The majority of the present-day Beta Yisrael in Ethiopia are descendants of Falashas (traditional Jewish community) converted to Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. Yet because of anti-semitism, for huundereds of years they were kept enthnically and geographically separate from the Orthodox Christian community and never fully accepted as Christians, just as the Marranos were Catholic in name, but officially designated by the fifteenth century Catholic church as "New Christians." In Spain, that term allowed for segregation and discrimination to go unhindered. The Marrano Jewish "new Christians" lived in ethnic and geographical ghettos stripped of the full rights accorded to Spanish Catholics. Likewise the Beta Yisrael were segregated and very seldomly intermarried with the general Orthodox Christian community thus preserving intact their Jewish geneology.

What follows on this webpage is a typical Shoresh, or family tree, like the one that was presented to the Addis Jewish community committee to prove Achamelech's Jewish lineage. In this particular Shoresh, I have purposely changed some of the names to protect Achamelech. Some of the names I've used may have no actual Amharic (most common indigenous language in Ethiopia) equivalent. The Shoresh here is based an actual 7-generation Beta Yisrael Shoresh presented to me during my May, 2000 visit to Ethiopia.

Click here to hear Achamelech and her husband say the Shema

Achamelech and her husband being interviewed by me in Ethiopia in May, 2000

Achamelech lived in the Gondar region until three years ago when she, her husband, and their 3 children made the one month journey to Addis in hope of leaving for Israel. Achamelech brought her Shoresh with her to Addis and registered there with the local committee. In addition to the Shoresh, she provided affidavits from three elders recognized by the committee as being Jewish. They attested to her Shoresh. After investigation of her Shoresh, Achamelech was issued a Jewish family identity card.

Beta Yisrael Family Identity Card

The identity card entitled Achamelech and her family to: a supply of teff (grain) each month, medical help when available, and the right to be buried in the Addis Jewish cemetery provided she pay a monthly fee of 1 Burr. Each month she would make her payment to assure a spot in the cemetery.

Shoresh (Family Tree)

Description of above 7-generation Shoresh:

"All Ethiopian Jewish lineages begin with a male. In my case our ancestor was Tezana. It is tradition that Tezana lived in Gojam (an area north of Addis, but significantly south of Gondar). Because of some local unrest, resulting in several of his family members (tribe) being killed. Since Tezana was the elder leader, he decded to move the entire village, probably about 75 people, to Quara, a region in the province of Gondar."

"When Tezana moved the village to Quara, its name was changed from Alefa to Chema. It was also family tradition that Tezana's daughter, Attego died by a river in Quara, but the exact location of it is unknown." Her descendants lived in the Quara region for the next 4 generations. She is fairly certain that Elsa, her great-great grandmother moved to a village near Gondar City, the capital of Gondar province. Her great grandmother, Yemer, actually lived in Gondar city. Once her family moved to the capital they became traders in clothing to support themselves.

If you interested in learning more about this, contact us:

Winer Foundation po box 33373 philadelphia, pa 19142 info@winerfoundation.org phone: 215-365-3350 fax: 215-365-3325