The San Diego community will have the rare opportunity to learn about a hidden and isolated Jewish minority of North Sheva in Central Ethiopia, and its struggles to retain their Jewish identity and traditions. In her movie titled “Nafkot – Yearning” (2022), Dr Malka Shabtay, an Israeli Anthropologist, takes us on a fascinating journey to North Sheva and tells a story of survival of its Jewish community, during which we will discover 15 secret synagogues, red tents, strict shabes observance, sacred ceremonies such as the Red Cow ceremony, and much more.

The event will begin with an Ethiopian, kosher for Passover, buffet dinner followed by the movie screening “Nafkot – Yearning” (2022) and discussion led by Dr Shabtay and Tazebku Worku. This event will not be broadcasted via Zoom.

For an advance look, watch the movie trailer here: https://miamijewishfilmfestival.org/films/2023/nafkot

Click here to see the list of awards the film has obtained.

When: Tuesday, April 11, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Tickets: Sliding scale, the sooner you register the less you pay!

• $20 if you register by March 30 for in-person attendance (buffet dinner included)
• $30 if you register by Apr 6 for in-person attendance (buffet dinner included)
• $40 if you register between Apr 7 and 11 for in person attendance (buffet dinner included)

Where: Residential venue, address provided upon registration.

Our Speakers:

Mr. Belayneh Tazebku Worku is one of the leaders of the Ethiopian North Shewa Beta Israel community and serves as the manager of the synagogue, Brit Olam, in Addis Ababa. Over the last 25 years, Tazebku Worku has focused on raising awareness and community organizing both locally and nationally in support of full civil and human rights of the Beta Israel people. Tazebku Worku also works to meet concrete current needs of the community such as the creation of a Jewish cemetery and a Beta Israel community settlement in Debre Berhan, in the Amhara region.

Dr. Malka Shabtay is an applied anthropologist who has worked for decades with the Ethiopian Jewish community in Israel and more recently in Ethiopia. An outstanding scholar and author of many books, she has taught in numerous academic institutes including the Ruppin Academic Center and the Institute for Immigration and Social Integration. Dr Shabtay blends research, consultancy, and training for organizations applying cultural and cross-cultural perspectives in their work. “Nafkot – Yearning” (2022) is her second ethnographic film.