Black Jews, Jews, and Other Heroes: How Grassroots Activism Led to the Rescue of the Ethiopian Jews

Early in this book Howard Lenhoff interrupts his narrative with a discussion of what constitutes history. It is a particularly apt discussion because, as is said of journalists, in this book Howard Lenhoff is writing a first draft of history. As he also makes clear, this is not the story of how the Jewish population of Ethiopia, the Falasha, was rescued, although it is an important part of that story. The struggle to accomplish this rescue, carried out over decades through the work of many individuals in many places, was as complex an effort as any battle, military campaign, or war - so it is perhaps appropriate that as I read Howard's account I remembered the words of the Duke of Wellington, "The history of a battle is not unlike the history of a ball. Some individuals may recollect all the little events of which the great result is the battle won or lost; but no individual can recollect the order in which, or the exact moment at which they occurred, which makes all the difference...But if a true history is written, what will become of the reputation of half of those who have acquired reputations, and who deserve it for their gallantry, but who, if their mistakes and casual misconduct were made public would not be so well thought of?" It is to the author's credit that he states simply he is telling the story of "how grassroots activism led to the rescue of the Ethiopian Jews," in the form of the American Association for Ethiopian Jews (AAEJ), which he helped found in 1974. This book delivers that story while also citing many other works that address other aspects and elements of the story as seen and experienced by others - from individuals to government agencies. As I read the book I had the feeling that I was actually sitting at a kitchen table as Howard Lenhoff - aided by former U.S. Refugee Coordinator officer Jerry Weaver - recounted the tale, complete with digressions, interruptions, some meandering, but always with a determination that the whole truth be told. In a similar interest of full disclosure, I should point out that during my own U.S. Foreign Service career I served as the Embassy Refugee Officer in Kinshasa dealing with the refugees in then-Zaire (again the Congo today) as they sought to escape an ongoing civil war in neighboring Angola. I was also familiar with Ambassadors Lyman and Horan, actually serving as one of the latter's intelligence briefers during his time as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs before his posting as Ambassador to Cameroon, and these contacts left me with very positive assessments of both. I am also happy to say that nothing in Howard Lenhoff's account of the role played by these two men in this effort on behalf of the Falashas has caused me to alter those opinions. The author suggests that the efforts of the AAEJ as told in this book could present the reader with a model for activism. However, while it captures the required enthusiasm and persistence demonstrated by

Howard Lenhoff's book is important because it tells how a small group of dedicated people helped to save thousands of lives. In fact, the entire culture of Ethiopean Jewry was saved. This book goes to the heart of our humanity. The book is well written and is presented in first-person form. Highly recommended.

Lenhoff relates, in clear and riveting style, the compassion, courage, ingenuity and tenacity required to achieve an epic humanitarian goal in the face of inscrutable and overwhelming odds. Thus the rescue of ancient tribes of enslaved black Jews from Ethiopia (Falashas or Beta Yisrael) and their immigration to Israel (aliyah) during operations Elijah, Moses, Sheba, Pidyon Shevuyim and Solomon required catalytic activism of a host of heroes from, among others, the American Association of Ethiopian Jews (AAEJ; 1974-1993). Lenhoff was President of AAEJ from 1978 to 1982, a fledgling group that first irritated, then involved established organizations in American and Israel Jewry. He reveals the oscillating evolution of an intricate tapestry of motivation, information, recruitment and insertion during the growth of AAEJ, including conflicts and compromises, in religious and political arenas, with bureaucracy of the government of Israel. The exodus began slowly by trailblazing efforts to smuggle single or small groups of Falashas, eventually totaling about 1000, to the squalor of refugee camps in Sudan, then at war with Israel, and to Kenya, and then onward to Europe and Israel. Mass exodus of more that 10,000 Beta Israel from Sudan, orchestrated by Jerry Weaver during Operation Moses, occurred late in 1984, followed by Operation Sheba during which 500 remaining refugees were liberated. Still, some 25,000 black Jews remained in Ethiopia. In the next five years, more than 1,000 of them were transported to a refugee camp in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, then on to Israel. In the first few months of 1991,about 5,000 Falashas made the trip to the Promised Land. Amazingly, an additional 14,000 were airlifted from Addis Ababa to Israel during Operation Solomon on May 24 and 25, 1991, under the direction of LaDena Schnapper. A few thousand Ethiopian Jews in outlying communities missed the Airbus and were rescued over the next seven years. For this non-activist Christian scientist, heroics behind the monumental triumph of liberating Ethiopian Jews merit award of a Nobel Peace Prize!

What a remarkable retelling of the heroic efforts to save a Jewish community (Ethiopian Jewry) on the threshold of disappearing, or at a minimum, losing its identity. Many of us who were active in the movement to rescue the Ethiopian Jewish community can only marvel at the impact of the tenacity of the few had in galvanizing individuals, organizations, and governments. Many kudos to Dr.Howard Lenhoff for his dedication to the movement and for recapturing the deeds of the many in saving an entire community through justifiable outrage, persistence, and single mindedness. This grassroots activism models how individuals coming together can make a difference and effect change. Thank you, Dr. Lenhoff.

This important contribution to the story of the rescue of the Ethiopian Jews is told through the eyes of the American Association for Ethiopian Jews(AAEJ) and covers the period 1974 to 1991; including operations Moses in 1984 and Solomon in 1991. A few other accounts of these operations and the story of the Ethiopian Jews have been told but this one offers a unique and interesting perspective from the point of view of American Jewish activism and its relationship with Israel. There are a number of tear-jerking and heartfelt stories in this riveting account. The first involved the recognition of the Ethiopian Jews as the lost tribe of Dan by then Chief Sephardie Rabbi of Israel, Ovadia Yosef. He declared that the Jews in Ethiopia should be "redeemed from assimilation." The other story surrounds operation Moses as told by Jerry L. Weaver, who was the Refugee Affairs Coordinator in the Sudan for the U.S. This material is presented in a first person account by Weaver and in many ways it offer a brilliantly told, action packed, insight into the rescue of the Ethiopian Jews from Sudan. Probably the most fascinating insight told in these pages is the story of how a tiny group of dedicated individuals, the AAEJ, were able to single handedly raise enough funds to rescue some 1,239 Ethiopian Jews between 1972 and 1989. This story has not been told previously and it not only show that individuals can make a difference but it goes to show that the Hebrew maxim "to save one life is as if one saved the whole world" is indeed true. This has implications for efforts to alleviate the slaughter in the Sudan and other important aspects of Jewish activism in the U.S today. There are a number of interesting cases presented of problems between Jewish activists in the states and their Israeli counterparts as well as inter-Jewish feuding among organizations in the U.S and these stories are also interesting as are the accounts of networking among Ethiopian Jews and American activists in the 1970s. Really an important and fascinating read, a real page turner. Seth J. Frantzman