Israelis took satisfaction in the appointment of Belaynesh Zevadia, their first female ambassador to Ethiopia, who is herself of Ethiopian-Jewish origin.

“It is a great honor to be appointed ambassador, and especially the first ambassador from the Ethiopian community,” said Zevadia. “I made aliya as a youth and am returning to Ethiopia as an ambassador.” AJC has worked with Ambassador Zevadia since her early Foreign Ministry days, when she served with distinction as vice consul in Chicago. We share the excitement at her appointment.And yet, such “firsts” necessarily provoke mixed feelings, highlighting achievement but also calling attention to the overall state of a 125,000-strong community. Ethiopian Jewry in Israel features a mix of first-generation achievement and hindrances to its progress.