Two Reasons...

Two reasons why I will have trouble leaving Ethiopia:

Learning about and being involved with the Jewish community has been an extraordinary experience. We first met the Kechene Jewish community of Addis Ababa at a small Friday night service. The Jews there want very much to live their lives publicly despite the harsh discrimination in the work place and hatred from their neighbors.

Here in Gondar, Jews mix easily with their neighbors. The children go to school together and the adults drink coffee together in the small shops. The community is committed to Jewish practices and moving eventually to Israel.

We've mentioned that we have been volunteering at an after school program for Jewish students in grades 3 through 7. On Friday, the club sponsors a Kabbalat Shabbat. The students sing songs in Hebrew, then say the blessings over the candles, wine, hand washing, and motzi. Strong emotions of connectedness rise in my chest during the simple ceremony. 

A young girl lights the Shabbat candles, then says the blessing.

A boy says the blessing for wine. 

The same boy says the motzi.

Secondly, I'll miss the charming children. They certainly enjoy the after school club. 

They arrive and study seriously even though this is not a mandatory program. They play hard, also!