ABSTRACT
This chapter desires to familiarise the reader with the Ethiopian Jewish people and with the historical context of their emigration. It discusses their existence in the Ethiopian context as well as their relations with Jews in other parts of the world and with the state of Israel. The chapter focuses on certain aspects of Ethiopian Jewish society in the twentieth century, namely the structure of their villages, their material culture, the life cycle and their informal and formal education. Joseph Halevy's journey was significant in renewing communication in modern times between the Jews of Ethiopia and other Jewish communities. The Jewish Agency became increasingly involved in the education of Ethiopian Jewish children, both in Ethiopia and in Israel. In 1957 there was a sudden change in the policy of the Jewish Agency, the Asmara training college was closed, and in 1958 all schools, apart from the central one in Ambover, were shut down.
