ENP Making (Oral) History!
December 31, 2020
ENP's Project Ti'ud: Imparting the Story of Ethiopian Aliyah to Future Generations aims to preserve inspirational Aliyah stories and reinforce Ethiopian-Jewish identities for generations to come. The program is carried out first through the implementation of workshops that relay the trajectory of Ethiopian Jewry from its history to the present, then trains participants in interviewing skills, and lastly, executes story collection. As important as the experience of those who collect the stories is relaying them for all to explore and discover. Alongside a book comprised of a collection of those stories, ENP is also sharing the amazing products of this unique program online, through a special website.
ENP's Project Ti'ud website is online and bursting with content and inspiring Aliyah stories offering a truly unique experience for anyone interested in learning more about Ethiopian Jewry. For the past two years, the student interviewers of Project Ti’ud have trained as oral historians and collected over 100 unbelievable and unique stories to be preserved for the next generation of Ethiopian and world Jewry. One of the main pillars of Project Ti’ud is that these stories will be easily accessible to the general public so that they may be shared and discussed all around the world.
On the site you’ll find a wide array of information about the Ethiopian Aliyah and community, in addition to a database of oral history that grows larger by the day. The site offers visitors a full-scope story of Ethiopian Aliyah, its past, present, and future implications. Every topic pertaining to the cultural, social, and political history of the Ethiopian community can be found on the site, from information on the various Aliyah operations and the geography of Ethiopia, to the history of the Ethiopian Jewish Kingdom etc. You can also read testimonials from the student interviewers about their experiences of participating in Project Ti’ud, their reflections on hearing these stories for the first time, and understanding the sacrifices made so that they could stand in the Land of Israel today. The site also encourages visitors to reach out and begin a dialogue with Project Ti’ud; letting us know the impact these stories have on your lives, how you can become involved through volunteering, and how we can help you incorporate Project Ti’ud into your research or classroom.
An important sculptor of and contributor to the website is one of ENP's most enthusiastic and committed volunteers – Leigh Pennington. Originally from Richmond, VA and currently a master's student of Jewish Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Leigh immersed herself in the story of Ethiopian Jewry and the Aliyah narratives. "Helping to develop the Project Ti’ud website has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in Israel," Leigh says. "Prior to coming to Israel I didn’t really know the depth of the Ethiopian Aliyah or how powerful and unique the story was in the course of Jewish history. In the process of building this site I was able to read through numerous testimonies as well as develop my own knowledge of Ethiopian Jewish history."
Don't wait any longer – visit the Project Ti'ud website today and be moved by the truly incredible stories of the Ethiopian Aliyah to Israel. And there is much more to come.