New Ethiopian-Israeli soldier film at Dwares JCC

Posted

“Mekonen: The Journey of an African Jew” is a new mini-documentary that will be screened on Jan. 11, at the Dwares JCC, beginning at 7 p.m. An Ethiopian-Israeli will lead a discussion of the film and of the challenges faced by Ethiopian immigrants to Israel.

The film traces the story of Mekonen Abebe, a young African-Israeli Jew, once a shepherd in Africa and now a commander in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). In the film, Mekonen returns to Ethiopia to seek his roots. He was 12 when his father died less than a day before his family was to move to Israel. The film sees him explore his roots, make peace with his past and embrace his future in Israel. 

Mekonen was among the paratroopers in basic training who were in the Netflix-featured “Beneath the Helmet.” In that film, he almost dropped out of the army due to social-economic pressures felt by many Ethiopians in Israel. Rebecca Shore, the film’s producer, said, “When we heard Mekonen was becoming an IDF officer, we couldn’t resist! We grabbed our cameras and starting filming his graduation. We even followed him back to his childhood home in Ethiopia, learned about his challenges along the way and met the people who helped him get to where he is today.”

Mekonen has successfully integrated into Israeli society and yet stayed true to his Ethiopian roots and culture. “Mekonen is an inspiring film that will move audiences. It shows anything is possible with the right attitude, tools and support.”

Following the film, Dr. Yarden Fanta-Vagenshtein will lead a discussion about the film and about the challenges that Ethiopians face in Israel, as well as the supports that are provided to them. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. She is also the assistant director of the Jewish National Fund in New England.

In 1985, when she emigrated from Ethiopia to Israel, she did not know how to read or write. In 2005, she completed a Ph.D. in education, becoming the first Ethiopian woman to earn a doctorate in Israel. Her field of research examines how illiterate immigrants adapt to modern societies, specifically Ethiopian assimilation in Israel.

The film was produced by Jerusalem U, creators of “Beneath the Helmet” and PBS-featured “Israel Inside: How a Small Nation Makes a Big Difference.” This program is co-sponsored by the Community Relations Council and the Israel Desk of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

For more information, contact Jana Brenman at israeldesk@jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 181.

LARRY KATZ is director of Jewish Life and Learning at the Jewish Alliance.

Alliance, film, Israel