President Shimon Peres will open the celebration of Sig\u2019d in an official ceremony this morning at his residence in Jerusalem.<\/p>\n
Celebrated 50 days after Yom Kippur, on the 29th of Heshvan, Sig\u2019d represents the yearning of the Ethiopian Jews (Beta Israel) for Jerusalem. In Ethiopia, the community commemorated Sig\u2019d as a day of fasting, culminating in a procession led by the Kessim (Spiritual leaders) to chosen place on a hilltop to lead the community in prayer, remembering Moses\u2019 ascent to Mount Sinai. There they would ask forgiveness for their sins and receive the blessing of the Kessim that they may realize their dream of reaching Jerusalem.<\/p>\n
Celebration of the holiday in Israel commemorates the community\u2019s Ethiopian history and tradition, continuing and enhancing its importance to the community. The holiday did not receive official recognition as a national holiday in Israel until August 2008. President Shimon Peres, in recognition of the unique heritage and contribution to Israeli culture of the Israeli Ethiopian community has sought to empower the community and increase national awareness of its traditions and cultural richness, embracing the holiday of Sig\u2019d with two weeks of events, culminating in the traditional ceremony on Jerusalem\u2019s Sherover Promenade on November 16th.<\/p>\n
Sig\u2019d Events:<\/p>\n
Monday, November 2 at 17:30
\nYad Yitzhak Ben Zvi, 12 Abarbanel Street, Jerusalem
\nStudy session: Sig\u2019d, its traditions, history, Biblical sources, liturgy and customs of its celebration in Ethiopia and new meanings acquired through its celebration in Israel.<\/p>\n
Wednesday, November 11 at 20:00
\nBeit Avi Chai, 44 King George Street, Jerusalem
\nA taste of Ethiopian cuisine and three short plays, followed by a presentation of Ethiopian culture in folklore and proverbs, ending in a musical performance of Aya Korem and Matan Dagfa in Hebrew and Amharic.<\/p>\n
Monday, November 16 at 10:00
\nSherover Promenade, Armon HaNatziv, Jerusalem
\nOfficial Sig\u2019d Ceremony with Kessim presiding and leading the community in prayer
\nIn addition to the ceremony, tents of learning will be set up along the promenade to present the holiday and its customs<\/p>\n
Monday, November 16 at 17:00
\nCongress Center (Binyanei HaUma) Jerusalem
\nClosing Ceremonies which will include: an exhibit of Ethiopian artists, an official welcome to new immigrants from Ethiopia, presentation of activities of social action groups within the community, performances and screening of films, with greetings from the Prime Minister, government ministers and community representatives.<\/p>\n