How a Pre-Military Program Helps Ethiopian-Israeli Youth Embrace Heritage
A pre-military academy graduate in Lebanon challenged anti-Ethiopian remarks by giving a heritage lecture, highlighting a program helping young Israelis embrace their roots.
During military operations in Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon, a graduate of the "Derech Avot" pre-military preparatory program serving in the Golani Brigade heard derogatory remarks about Ethiopian-Israeli soldiers from a fellow squad member.
Rabbi Lior Negasa, one of the founders and educators at the mechina, recounts that the soldier approached his company commander and requested permission to lead an educational session on the history and heritage of the Ethiopian-Israeli community. Deep inside Lebanon, he gathered his comrades to share the story of Beta Israel's heritage and their dramatic rescue and immigration to Israel. Following the session, the soldier who had made the offensive remarks approached him and offered a sincere apology.
For Rabbi Negasa, this incident encapsulates the transformative power of cultural roots and self-confidence among young adults entering Israeli society. Established in Bnei Ra'am, "Derech Avot" operates as an affiliate of the prestigious "Bnei David" institutions in Eli, founded in 1988 by Rabbis Eli Sadan and Yigal Levinstein. Approximately three decades later, Ethiopian-Israeli educators recognized an urgent need to establish a dedicated preparatory track that combines rigorous Torah study, IDF preparation, and a deep reconnection with the heritage of Beta Israel, particularly following the identity crises amplified by the protests surrounding the death of Solomon Teka.
Overcoming Identity Crises
Rabbi Negasa describes a generation of young people drifting away from their parents' traditions while struggling to find a true sense of belonging within broader Israeli society. "On one hand, we became detached from everything connected to our heritage, our forefathers and foremothers, and our unique history as a community," he explains.
At the mechina, students immerse themselves daily in the history, traditions, and Zionist contributions of Ethiopian Jews alongside traditional Torah studies, civic integration, and military training. In addition to the men's program, a corresponding women's mechina is currently running its second cohort with remarkable success. This reconnection with familial roots occurs at a pivotal juncture as young adults prepare to leave home for military service and independent life.
Roi Shimon, a second-year student, speaks candidly about his past struggles with identity. "There was a time when I was actually ashamed of my skin color," he admits. Arriving at the mechina unenthusiastically upon a friend's recommendation, his perspective shifted during a pivotal conversation with his rabbi, Yishai Kavada. "He told me, 'You have the capabilities, believe in yourself,'" Roi recalls. Encouraged to engage with his studies, Roi discovered a newfound passion for learning.
Preserving Living History
Through the "Vehigadta Levincha" project, students are given a deeply personal assignment: sitting down with their parents to record their childhood memories and the arduous journey of immigration to Israel. "I listen to my parents' immigration story and I say: they are heroes," Roi declares. "We come from a community of heroes. Every single story is worthy of a movie."
Uri Aaron, a second-year student from Beersheba, initially planned to enlist in the military immediately or spend only a few months at the mechina. Just three days into the program, he decided to commit to a full year, later extending his stay for a second year while actively helping recruit incoming cohorts. For Uri, capturing these oral histories carries profound urgency, as the generation that lived through the exodus is aging, and their testimonies must be preserved for posterity.
