MY FAMILY
THE BETA ISRAEL CURRICULUM
UNDERSTANDING OUR JEWISH FAMILY
With the understanding that the Beta Israel is part of the Jewish family, and that Ethiopian Jews overwhelmingly believe they are directly descended from a lost Tribe of Israel, students should be asked:
- Now that we know that the Beta Israel is part of the Jewish family, I’d like to ask you: How well do you think we really know our Jewish family?
- Has anyone here ever met someone from the Beta Israel?
- Have you ever met an Ethiopian Jew?
- Does anyone here know the history, traditions, laws, or values of the Beta Israel?
- Why do you think it’s important to understand the different members of our family?
After a rousing discussion about the importance of recognizing our family, teachers should explain to students that the very purpose of this curriculum is to introduce them to members of their own Jewish family, the Beta Israel. The teachers should emphasize that the best way to get to know different family members is by learning a little bit about their history, traditions, laws, values, and customs, and say:
Why is it important to understand the Beta Israel? Because the Beta Israel are Jews, like us, and despite our differences in traditions and observances, we are all members of the same Jewish family.
