The Ethiopia Itinerary (Updated 2007 – Subject to Change)
Educational goals
- To learn about the past and current Ethiopian rescue operations run by Israel and Jewish organisations
- To learn about a very special kind of modern Zionism in a third world country
- To discover the Falasha Mura, their history, their connection to Judaism and the way that the State of Israel is dealing with this issue
- To explore the many challenges facing the country today, including AIDS, poverty, illiteracy, safe drinking water, and others.
- To understand the political relationship between Ethiopia and Israel
- To gain a greater understanding of the FZY Tzedakah Project – The Ethiopian Bar Mitzvah Fund
Sunday, Day 1, 2008
Theme: Welcome to Ethiopia!
Sites: Tour Addis Ababa, with a visit to Ethiopia's National and Ethnographic Museum seeing one of its most famous residents: Lucy, a proto-human skull discovered in Ethiopia in 1974 and believed to be 3.5 million years old. Drive up Mount Entoto to visit the old palace of Menelik II, the St. Mary's Church and catch a panoramic view of Addis and the surrounding countryside. Enjoy a feast of traditional Ethiopian cuisine.
Overnight: Addis Ababa
Monday, Day 2, 2008
Theme: Out of Africa
Sites: Fly to Bahir Dar, a pleasant town situated on the shores of Lake Tana, Ethiopia's largest lake. Visit the majestic Blue Nile Falls, the second largest in Africa. Cruise on Lake Tana.
Overnight: Bahir Dar
Tuesday, Day 3, 2008
Theme: The Hardships of Life In Ethiopia
Sites: Drive to Gondar, the old capital of Ethiopia, and visit the Falasha Mura compound. Visit children at the Jewish camp school and raise the Israeli flag with them. Sit in on workshops offering vocational training, medical clinics, and classes for adults in Jewish practices. Receive a briefing on health concerns from one of the physicians working at the Hadassah HIV project. Drive to one of the villages where Ethiopian Jews used to live. Camp out near the village in order to better understand the outdoor atmosphere in Ethiopia.
Overnight: Gondar
Wednesday, Day 4, 2008
Theme: Rescue of Ethiopian Jews in Operation Moses
Sites: Tour the city of Gondor, once called the “Camelot of Africa” because of its castles and battlements. Visit the village of Wallaka and its Jewish cemetery and monument constructed in memory of the 4,000 Ethiopian Jews who walked through the Sudan desert in search of Jerusalem and died on their journey.
Overnight: Gondar
Thursday, Day 5, 2008
Theme: Religion in Africa
Sites: Fly to Lalibela and explore the eleven rock-hewn churches dating from the 11th century. Take a mule ride to explore the outlaying churches and monasteries. Fly back to Addis Ababa.
Overnight: Addis Ababa
Friday, Day 6, 2008
Theme: The Politics of Ethiopia
Sites: Take a guided tour around the city, visiting various sites including St George's Cathedral. Meet with a local politician for a briefing about Ethiopia and its domestic policies and foreign relations. Stroll through Merkato, East Africa's largest market. Bring in Shabbat with the local Jewish Community.
Overnight: Addis Ababa
Shabbat, Day 7, 2008
Theme: Shabbat in Africa
Sites: Daven Shacharit with the local community in their synagogue and hear the unique melodies of their prayers. Eat lunch with Ethiopian young adults and discuss with them their past and future. Spend the afternoon exploring Addis Ababa by foot allowing you to take in the local 'flavour.' After Shabbat ends, head out to a local club to listen to music and attempt to master the Ethiopian shoulder dance.
Overnight: Addis Ababa
Sunday, Day 8, 2008
Theme: Aliyah
Sites: Volunteer at the Hadassah orphanage. Visit the Jewish Agency for Israel compound for briefing by Yaacov Amitai, Israeli Ambassador to Ethiopia, interact with and assist the Falasha Mura who will be making Aliyah that day. Fly back to Israel with the new immigrants.
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