# Jewish Dopers: what are your opinions of the Ethiopian Jews? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 6, 2009, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759 "2009-10-06T01:40:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759/21 "2009-10-06T20:32:04Z")
The Emperors of Ethiopia claimed to be descended from Menelik I, the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, and one of Haile Selassie’s titles was “The Lion of Judah”. It’s all laid out in the medieval Ethiopian nationalist/religious chronicle [_Kebra Nagast_ (The Glory of Kings)](http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/kn/). The Rastafarian religion is a religion founded in Jamaica in the 20th century that believes that Haile Selassie was the reincarnation of Jesus, and that eventually, Haile Selassie will come back, set up a paradise in Ethiopia and destroy western culture, which they see as evil and demonic. ---
**Author:** ![mo50](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@mo50](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mo50)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759/22 "2009-10-06T21:37:45Z")
Thanks Cap’n A! ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759/23 "2009-10-06T23:48:54Z")
Beta Israel is as Jewish as any other branch of the Hebrew tree. OTOH I’ve run into Black Hebrews here in Philly. Besides claiming that all real Jews are black, they accept Jesus as the messiah. ---
**Author:** ![SomeBodyUK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@SomeBodyUK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SomeBodyUK)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759/24 "2009-10-07T02:51:43Z")
Regarding racism… A couple of years ago, in London, I worked with a Black Jamaican Jewish lady - she wasn’t a convert. She said her ancestors were Jewish too. The boss was a white Jewish lady & she considered her as Jewish as anybody else. However, the black lady said that a lot of white Jews were pretty racist against black Jews. She told me an incident where her husband was sat in the synanogue with some white Jews. Another Jewish guy walked in, shook everybody’s hand, and ignored her husband. Also, another lady in the office was a black Zambian lady who was converting cos she was marrying a Portguese Jew. There was another black lady who was an Islamic convert who the organisation had to get rid of cos she was saying anti-Jewish stuff in the office. PS I’m of a British-Indian background, and I’ve come across many white American Jews who were unaware that Indian Jews even existed. ---
**Author:** ![JSSNY2014](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bcef8e/32.png) [@JSSNY2014](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSSNY2014)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2014, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759/25 "2014-01-22T03:43:27Z")
I know this may be rather late, but I have to say I lived in Israel and found the Ethiopian Jews to be some of the nicest, most polite of all Israeli citizens. I see them as part of my family as I do any other Jewish group. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2014, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759/26 "2014-01-22T14:49:06Z")
Heh, interesting thread resurrection. 😃 To add some content, the current Ms. Israel is an Ethiopian Jew in ancestry, and very good looking: [http://www.blog.standforisrael.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Yityish-Aynaw.jpg](http://www.blog.standforisrael.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Yityish-Aynaw.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2014, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759/27 "2014-01-22T15:40:36Z")
Ethiopian Jews? They’re black. Aren’t they? All of them? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2014, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759/28 "2014-01-22T15:42:44Z")
> [@Malthus](#): > > Heh, interesting thread resurrection. 😃 > > To add some content, the current Ms. Israel is an Ethiopian Jew in ancestry, and very good looking: > > [http://www.blog.standforisrael.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Yityish-Aynaw.jpg](http://www.blog.standforisrael.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Yityish-Aynaw.jpg) Funny, she doesn’t… No, not going to go there! ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2014, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759/29 "2014-01-22T15:43:03Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I’ve always been amazed that a tribe of Jews made it as far as [South Africa](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemba). They may be related to Ethiopian Jews too. Our neighbors are Ethiopian Jews and you just won’t find any nicer folks. They borrowed a cup of milk one day and the husband went out in a snow storm that evening just to buy a quart so that he could pay us back. I can’t imagine any of our friends going to that length! ---
**Author:** ![coryoliver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@coryoliver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coryoliver)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759/30 "2014-01-23T23:26:20Z")
Actually this question should be reversed. It should be posed to the Ethiopian jews, asking what are their thoughts about the authenticity of the Europeans. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759/31 "2014-01-23T23:38:37Z")
> [@coryoliver](#): > > Actually this question should be reversed. > > It should be posed to the Ethiopian jews, asking what are their thoughts about the authenticity of the Europeans. Why? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759/32 "2014-01-23T23:45:20Z")
Their take on matzoh is too gluey! ---
**Author:** ![coryoliver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@coryoliver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coryoliver)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759/33 "2014-01-23T23:47:16Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Why? Because the European Jews are the converts, not the Ethiopians. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759/34 "2014-01-23T23:48:15Z")
> [@coryoliver](#): > > Because the European Jews are the converts, not the Ethiopians. Based on what evidence do you make that strong assertion? ---
**Author:** ![coryoliver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@coryoliver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coryoliver)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759/35 "2014-01-23T23:52:07Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Based on what evidence do you make that strong assertion? It’s not a “strong assertion” it’s the truth. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759/36 "2014-01-23T23:54:51Z")
> [@coryoliver](#): > > It’s not a “strong assertion” it’s the truth. Even “truths” can be asserted. Then the assertions get supported by facts to illustrate the assertion’s validity. That’s what I’m asking. Or am I just supposed to say “ok” 'cause you say so? Furthermore, Ethiopians Jews validity isn’t in question by just about anyone, so why should European Jews validity be doubted? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759/37 "2014-01-24T00:15:39Z")
> [@coryoliver](#): > > Because the European Jews are the converts, not the Ethiopians. At what date did the Europeans convert? And how did the Ethiopians get to Ethiopia from Palestine? ---
**Author:** ![coryoliver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@coryoliver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coryoliver)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759/38 "2014-01-24T00:32:42Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Or am I just supposed to say “ok” 'cause you say so? Actually, that’d be an excellent idea. I won’t lead you wrong. But to answer your question I’ll give you a white source, because I know you’d reject any other: you can read H.G. Wells ‘Outline of History.’ Forgot which volume, but I believe it’s the second. He traces how Judaism finally found its way to the European Jews. > [@BrainGlutton](#): > > At what date did the Europeans convert? And how did the Ethiopians get to Ethiopia from Palestine? The idea of Ethiopians traveling to Palestine (which was a part of Africa before the creation of the Suez Canal) shouldn’t be looked upon as anything out of the ordinary. Africans traveled all over the world. Africans have always been a very well-traveled people. More than any other, though all peoples traveled. Isn’t nearly all of the “History” we’re taught merely the record of different peoples traveling the world and coming into contact with one another? That can’t be a serious question. That said, Judaism didn’t begin in Palestine. The elements that have gone into what is today is called “Judaism” came out of Africa. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759/39 "2014-01-24T00:51:37Z")
Wells’ histories were popular in his day, but there’s a reason he’s primarily remembered as a science fiction writer. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759/40 "2014-01-24T01:03:29Z")
> [@coryoliver](#): > > Actually, that’d be an excellent idea. I won’t lead you wrong. But to answer your question I’ll give you a white source, because I know you’d reject any other: you can read H.G. Wells ‘Outline of History.’ Forgot which volume, but I believe it’s the second. He traces how Judaism finally found its way to the European Jews. What in the heck is a “white source”? Is that like a white paper (which is a document summarizing information on a given topic)? Otherwise, I am not familiar with HG Wells’ non-fiction. I am also not prone to just believing people on their say-so. I imagine you aren’t either, so why should I be more accepting than you? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759.md?page=3)