I am writing this note in response to your recent article on La Times; Ethiopian Israeli filmmaker pulls no punches. Thumbs up for a great piece! However, one phrase caught my eyes, “custom remarkably similar to Judaism” and made me wonder if you really considered doing some background research about the history from Ethiopian side. I am saying to you that they are Jews, Jews that spoke the grandfather of Hebrew, Amharic. Amharic is Aramaic’s cousin….in some parts of Ethiopia it still exists–with a different name. If you go to Ethiopia and visit old monasteries and churches you will see the reminiscent of Judaism that was practiced by most of the population (long ago)…..Star of David all over the wall. Actually, the Star of David is considered as one of the religious symbols in Ethiopian Orthodox church. I think that phrase would mostly apply for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians who eat kosher diet and observe Sabbath (Sembet in Amharic and fyi Sabbath in Amharic simply means #7); but not to the Jewish that resisted persecution and killing to preserve their religion.

Please consider correcting it, as subtle as it is, it is painful and heart breaking to be denied of your heritage again and again! Most of them were promised a great life and freedom of religion before taken to Israel not to be picked on, and to be told their way of Judaism is not the right way….. “let’s teach you the correct way, how can you be black and Jew?,” not knowing Middle East is actually, the land of Brown—Ethiopia used to be Abyssinia, that extended to the Golf of Aden and southern part of the Arabia.

Please accept my apology if I offended you with my comment. I appreciate your article.

Regards,
MZT