Rahel Solomon

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Rahel Solomon – A Pioneering Voice in Ethiopian Jewish Activism

Introduction

Rahel Solomon was an Ethiopian Jewish activist and teacher who worked to promote the education and equality of Ethiopian Jews in Israel. Rahel Solomon was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 1959. She was the eldest of eight children, born to parents of Jewish descent. In the early 1980s, she was the first Ethiopian woman to join the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). After her service, Solomon moved to Jerusalem where she became an advocate for Ethiopian Jewry in Israel and the Diaspora. She worked to promote educational and economic advancement for Ethiopian Jews, seeking to bridge the gaps between Ethiopian and Israeli-born citizens. She was a powerful voice in her community, earning recognition from both Jewish and Israeli circles.

Jewish Roots and Early Life

Rahel Solomon’s family was part of the thousands of Ethiopians of Jewish descent, now known as Beta Israel. Rahel was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 1959. Her parents were part of a community of religious Jews living in Ethiopia, who followed its own distinct traditions, customs, and practices. Rahel went to a Jewish school and during her childhood, was exposed to the ongoing discrimination and persecution of Jews in Ethiopia.

Move to Israel

Rahel Solomon’s family moved to Israel during Operation Moses in 1984. Operation Moses was a humanitarian effort which sought to bring Ethiopian Jews to Israel and reunite Ethiopian families, which had been fractured by poverty, unemployment and political unrest in Ethiopia. Rahel, who was 25 years old at the time, was one of the Ethiopian Jews who relocated to Israel as part of this operation.

Advocate for Education and Equality

Rahel Solomon was the first Ethiopian woman to join the IDF in the early 1980s. After her service, she moved to Jerusalem and became an advocate for Ethiopian Jews in Israel and the Diaspora. Solomon was passionate about education and worked to bridge the gap between Ethiopian-born Jews and those born in Israel. She was a strong voice for Ethiopian Jews in the Israeli Knesset, speaking up in the Israeli parliament continuously for the rights of her community. In the late 1990s, Solomon was the primary force behind the establishment of a Jewish immigrant centre in Jerusalem, which sought to provide resources and support for the growing Ethiopian Jewish population.

Solomon was also a powerful advocate for the rights of women, promoting the advancement of gender equality in Jewish and Israeli circles. She was outspoken in her criticism of the discrimination and injustice that many Ethiopian women faced at the hands of the Israeli government and society.

Recognition of Solomon’s Efforts

Due to her tireless efforts and commitment to the promotion of education and equality, Solomon was recognized in both Jewish and Israeli circles. She was honoured by the Jerusalem municipality with a seat on the municipality’s immigration committee. She was also invited to join the Human Rights Commission of the Jerusalem Association and the Advisory Council of the World Jewish Congress.

FAQs

Q: What did Rahel Solomon do for Ethiopian Jews?

A: Rahel Solomon was an Ethiopian Jewish activist and teacher who worked to promote the education and equality of Ethiopian Jews in Israel. She was the first Ethiopian woman to join the Israeli Defence Forces and became an advocate for Ethiopian Jews in Israel and the Diaspora. Solomon was passionate about education and sought to bridge the gap between Ethiopian-born Jews and those born in Israel. She was also a powerful advocate for the rights of women, promoting the advancement of gender equality in Jewish and Israeli circles.

Q: Who was Rahel Solomon?

A: Rahel Solomon was an Ethiopian Jewish activist and teacher who worked to promote the education and equality of Ethiopian Jews in Israel. She was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 1959, and courageous relocated to Israel as part of Operation Moses in 1984. After her service in the IDF, Solomon moved to Jerusalem where she became an advocate for Ethiopian Jewry in Israel and the Diaspora.

Q: What recognition did Rahel Solomon receive?

A: Due to her tireless efforts and commitment to the promotion of education and equality, Solomon was recognized in both Jewish and Israeli circles. She was honoured by the Jerusalem municipality with a seat on the municipality’s immigration committee. She was also invited to join the Human Rights Commission of the Jerusalem Association and the Advisory Council of the World Jewish Congress.

Examples

Rahel Solomon was an example to Ethiopian Jews as a courageous and committed advocate for education and gender equality. She provided much-needed support to the Ethiopian Jewish community in Israel and was a strong voice in the fight for justice. One example of Solomon’s commitment in this area was her advocacy of the 2008 Schools Law, which sought to close the educational gap between Ethiopian and Israeli-born citizens. This law was a major victory for Solomon and her community, as it provided additional resources and support to Ethiopian Jews in the Israeli education system. 

Conclusion: 

Rahel Solomon was a pioneering voice in Ethiopian Jewish activism who sought to promote education and equality for Ethiopian Jews in Israel and the Diaspora. She was an example of courage and commitment, and inspired those around her with her dedication, passion, and tireless effort. Solomon will be remembered for her selflessness, compassion, and commitment to justice and equality.

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