HISTORY OF THE CANADIAN JEWISH COMMUNITY S ACTIVITIES ON BEHALF OF ETHIOPIAN JEWRY (BETA ISRAEL) AS SEEN BY CJC ETHIOPIAN JEWRY COMMITTEE

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1 HISTORY OF THE CANADIAN JEWISH COMMUNITY S ACTIVITIES ON BEHALF OF ETHIOPIAN JEWRY (BETA ISRAEL) AS SEEN BY CJC ETHIOPIAN JEWRY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: STAN L. CYTRYNBAUM Montreal, March 25, 2011 On May 12, 1980, I went to the CJC Plenary Assembly in Toronto to vote for Irwin Cotler as president. Irwin had been a classmate of mine in the McGill Law Faculty. At the entrance to the convention centre I noticed a black man smoking a cigarette. I cast my ballot and looked around, and noticed there was a workshop on Ethiopian Jewry. Out of curiosity, and knowing nothing about the matter, I went to that workshop. The black man I had seen smoking at the entrance to the centre was the speaker. He gave a very emotional plea for help for the Ethiopian Jewish community. The speaker was Baruch Tegegne. In the weeks and months thereafter, I heard more about Ethiopian Jews from Dr. Bruce Gotlieb, a friend of mine at Beth El Congregation in Town of Mount Royal, Montreal. His father, Dr. Isaac Gotlieb, had been interested in the community of Jews in Ethiopia for some time. In the autumn of 1980, at a reception at Beth El Congregation, I learned from Bruce and Baruch about 3 Ethiopian sisters, relatives of Baruch, whom they had managed to bring to Montreal from Ethiopia with the help of the Immigration Minister Lloyd Axworthy, and his senior aide, Joe Stern of Winnipeg. The three young girls were staying at the time with Baruch and his young wife, Susie Migicovsky, in their Rockhill apartment, but they weren t able to keep them there. They were looking for a family, or families, to take care of the girls as foster parents. We saw the two younger girls, Beth El (8 years) and Gelila (12 years) at that reception. I discussed the idea of taking one of the girls, and later spoke with my wife Sandy and our three children (14, 12 & 8 years of age) on the possibility. We all agreed to take in one of the three girls. Arrangements were made, and we went to pick up one of the sisters at Baruch s apartment. The eldest of the three, Tigest, the 14 year old, (whose Hebrew name was Devorah) agreed to come with us, and 1

2 we committed ourselves to help find families for Gelila and Beth El (Devorah stayed with us for the next seven years.) Thereafter, Edit Kuper, mother of a 8 year old daughter, Ayelet, took in Beth El, and Mark and Gladys Zarecki, recently first time parents, took in Gelila. In the following few months, we learned a great deal about life and conditions in Ethiopia from Devorah, as she talked to us of her experiences in Addis Ababa. We started to read whatever material was available about the history, culture and conditions of Ethiopians in general and Ethiopian Jews in particular. The Beta Israel, ardent Zionists, needed help to immigrate, especially to Israel, before their community disappeared, as well as material support in the face of poverty, famine, and discrimination. Without being aware of any official community involvement in the issue, I urged Irwin, as president of CJC, to take up the issue. On December 18, 1981, I was advised that I was appointed chairman of an ad hoc, Quebec region committee on Ethiopian Jewry. It was later converted into a CJC National Committee for Ethiopian Jewry. I then learned that there had been earlier activities and history on the issue. Martin Penn was originally the CJC staff person, and soon after Alan Rose replaced him at the national level. Yona Bogali, leader of the Ethiopian Jews, attended and addressed the 1977 CJC Plenary Assembly in Montreal which introduced the issue of Ethiopian Jewry to the Canadian Jewish Community generally. This issue had been the subject of a report at a meeting of the World Jewish Congress Governing Board on March 21-23, 1979, and had been on the agenda of the CJC National Executive Meeting of March 25, The matter then had been on the agenda of virtually every such meeting thereafter for about 10 years. The matter had been discussed at a meeting between CJC and the Honourable Mark MacGuigan, Minister of External Affairs, on August 21, CJC had convened a meeting on August 28, 1980, of representatives of all parties known to be engaged in activities on behalf of the Beta Israel (Ethiopian Jews) to attempt to coordinate information and activities to prevent duplication of efforts. From the August 28, 1980 meeting had evolved the formation of the Canadian Association for Ethiopian Jews (CAEJ), co-chaired by Dr. Bruce Gotlieb and 2

3 Baruch Tegegne, with the mandate to educate the community and fund-raise to assist the effort to free the Beta Israel. CAEJ was to work in close conjunction with CJC. Dr. Bruce Gotlieb was named chair of a CJC Sub-committee for Ethiopian Jewry. On September 8, 1980, the CJC International Affairs Committee reported that it had been working with those who sought the immigration of Beta Israel to Israel. On December 6, 1980, the CJC national officers agreed to approach the National Budgeting Conference of CJC to secure funds for rescue. On September 28, 1981, Irwin Cotler, CJC president, sent a letter to the editor of the Globe & Mail, explaining CJC policy. (see Schedule 1) On November 28, 1981, an action program on behalf of Ethiopian Jewry was approved by CJC national officers and the next day by the CJC National Council re direct rescue from Ethiopia, educating and sensitizing the community and leadership and establishing special resettlement projects. (see Schedule 2) Thereafter, relations between CJC and CAEJ broke down over two main issues: a) the hiring by CAEJ of a full-time staff person and the fund-raising measures needed for this and other purposes, and b) the very radical, confrontational activities by CAEJ in the public domain against Israel and the organized Jewish community The CJC committee was then reconstituted, at first under Morton J. Cohen of Montreal and then on December 18, 1981, I (Stan Cytrynbaum) received a letter from CJC naming me Quebec Region chair of the Ethiopian Committee. (see Schedule 3) Edit Kuper, Mark Zarecki and the Hillel Task Force for Ethiopian Jewry, Rabbi Israel Hausman, Sandy Cytrynbaum and other volunteers were named to this committee. Steve Spodek, Rick Naor, Aime Dahan and Wendy Wolfe were particularly active with the Hillel Task Force, and Mark Zarecki was the staff person. In 1982, the Rabbinical Council of Canada, Quebec Region, named Rabbi Israel Hausman chair of their Task Force for Ethiopian Jewry. In March, 1982, the CJC rescue program to bring Ethiopian Jews to Canada was approved by Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, who sent his special representative to a meeting at CJC headquarters in Montreal to communicate this approval. The approval by the Canadian government of the rescue 3

4 program was made in December A member of the Israeli diplomatic service always served as a liaison to the CJC program. On at least one occasion, this relationship saved people who were in danger in Sudan, and who then arrived safely to Canada. At the April 25, 1982 National Executive Meeting of CJC, a report was given on the activities of the Ethiopian Jewry Committee, that the CJC initiative was under way. On Labour Day, 1982, Malka Abraham, mother of the three sisters, Devorah, Gelila and Beth El, arrived from Ethiopia with the help of Canadian Immigration Minister Lloyd Axworthy. Before she left Ethiopia, Malka was very instrumental in expediting the process of people leaving Ethiopia, at great risk to herself. Once in Montreal, she was hired by JIAS to help resettle the new arrivals from Ethiopia. A letter was sent on September 3, 1982, to Irwin Cotler, re CJC meeting of December, 1981, with federal Ministers of Immigration and and External Affairs, Axworthy and McGuigan, (see Schedule 4) In November, 1982, a week-long shiva was organized at the Montreal Federation Building in the lobby in memory for the many Ethiopian Jews who had died while trying to reach Israel. On November 30, 1982, a public lecture took place at the Adath Israel Congregation, Montreal, by Dr. Graenum Berger, founder of the American Association for Ethiopian Jewry (AAEJ), and retired executive director of the Jewish Federation of New York City. (see Schedule 5) On December 6, 1982, a letter was received from Louise Gagne of Quebec Immigration, re various Falasha (Beta Israel) cases, and confirming the meeting which had taken place between CJC and Quebec Immigration Minister Gerald Godin re a joint program to facilitate 50 Falasha refugee cases. (Louise Gagne had been the first person to alert the Jewish Community in Canada about the plight of the Beta Israel). (see Schedule 6) She met first with Mark Zarecki, Edit Kuper and Rivke Augenfeld at JIAS and Ms. Gagne took the initiative to arrange a meeting with the Quebec Immigration Minister. On December 23, 1982, Malka Abraham, her three daughters and her cousin Baruch Tegegne celebrated Hannukkah together in Montreal (see Schedule 7). On May 9, 1983, a letter was sent to educational institutions, mainly Israeli universities, inquiring whether they had any courses which included Ethiopian Jewish matters and studies. (see Schedule 8) Bialik High School s teacher Sid Melech wrote to CJC on May 30, 1983, outlining their Ethiopian program (see Schedule 9). 4

5 Rabbi Yosef Hadane, Chief Rabbi of the Ethiopian Jews in Israel, was invited to attend and address the CJC Plenary Assembly of May 12-15, A copy of his address to the Plenary Assembly is attached (see Schedule 10). His report on his journey to Canada is attached as Schedule 11, and was written up in a CJC publication (see Schedule 12) and the Canadian Jewish News of May 19, 1983 (see Schedule 13). The CJC Plenary Assembly of May, 1983, passed a resolution in support of the program to sponsor Ethiopian Jewish refugees to Canada. On June 2, 1983, I sent a letter to CJC Quebec Region chairman as he requested, outlining the major objectives of our sub-committee. (see Schedule 14) On September 15, 1983, CJC President Milton Harris sent a letter to me extending my term as Chair of the National Committee for Ethiopian Jewry. (see Schedule 15) Letter dated July 23, 1984, was sent to Council of Jewish Federations re General Assembly of November, (see Schedule 16 ) The Council of Jewish Federations sent a reply, dated July 31, (see Schedule 17) October 16 and November 16, 1984, information memos were circulated to Community leadership (see Schedules 18 & 19) Notes dated October 30, 1984, were taken at a debriefing of Melaku Yeob, who arrived from Ethiopia October 16, (see Schedule 20) November 21, 1984, the Beta Israel community in Montreal celebrated their Siggid holiday at the Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue, Montreal. An AJCS memo dated December 9, 1984, authorized $25,000 for Ethiopian rescue efforts to Canada. (see Schedule 21) A New York Times article dated December 11, 1984, documented Operation Moses. (see Schedule 22) A press release of Ben Gurion University was received, dated January 10, 1985, re activities relating to Ethiopian Jewry (see Schedule 23) 5

6 February 12, 1985, Mark Zarecki and Alan Rose as CJC representatives met with Ambassador Stephen Lewis in Ottawa. He was very supportive and he arranged a meeting for Mark and Alan with Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who was also very supportive. March 24, 1985, the New York Times and Los Angeles Times reported that 7,800 Falashas had been airlifted from the Sudan to Israel between November 21, 1984 and January 6, 1985, (Operation Moses), and the balance of 800 were flown out of Sudan by the CIA on or about March 23, (see Schedule 24) September 13, 1985 an information memo was circulated to community leadership which included material on a thanksgiving and memorial service of May 12, 1985, at Beth Zion Congregation, Montreal, sponsored by 25 community organizations. (see Schedule 25) October 9, 1985, an information meeting at Cummings House featured Dr. Michael Alkan of Ben Gurion University. (see Schedule 26) April 5, 1987, an information memo circulated to community leadership included a proposed budget for the religious leadership training program for young Ethiopian men at Ramot Shapiro in Israel, a program recommended by Rabbi Yosef Hadane. (see Schedule 27) On June 30, 1987, and on a number of other occasions, CJC representatives Alan Rose and Mark Zarecki, met with Canadian Ambassador to Ethiopia, David Macdonald, who was very supportive. (see Schedule 28) David Macdonald was aware of the details of the rescue program and facilitated it, including the use of diplomatic pouch to transmit documentation. March 23, 1988, CJC representative Stan Cytrynbaum attended a meeting in New York, convened by National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council, (NJCRAC) of the various parties and organizations of North America and Israel involved with the rescue of Ethiopian Jewry (see Schedule 29) Alan and Mark also met with the Ethiopian ambassador in Washington. May 8, 1988, an information memo was circulated to community leadership included a letter of Israel Religious Affairs Ministry re support for the Ramot Shapiro project (see Schedule 30). June 8, 1988, a major fundraiser was held for the Ramot Shapiro project for religious leadership training at the home of Zalmen and Barbara Stern. 6

7 January 15, 1989, an Ethiopian Jewish program took place at the Tifereth Beth David Jerusalem Congregation, Montreal (see Schedule 31). February 6, 1989, an information memo was circulated to community leadership. (see Schedule 32) March 20, 1989, a letter was received from the Federal Minister of Immigration, Barbara McDougall, who approved extension of special procedures for an additional 50 cases of Ethiopian Jewish refugees. (see Schedule 33) June 16, 1989, an information memo was circulated to community leadership (see Schedule 34) August 4, 1989, a letter to AJCS summarizes the program (see Schedule 35) October 13, 1989, a letter to CJC officer Les Scheininger summarizes the program (see Schedule 36) October 20, 1989, an executive summary was prepared by CJC partner, JIAS, re Ethiopian rescue program (see Schedule 37) December 3, 1989, an information bulletin to community leadership which included formal announcement by the Republic of Ethiopia of restored full diplomatic relations with Israel was circulated. (see Schedule 38). The CJC Ethiopian Jewry Committee then suspended operations. On May 25, 1991, Operation Solomon brought 15,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel. Over 130 persons were rescued and resettled in Canada, mainly in Montreal, as a result of the CJC rescue program. The Canadian rescue program operated as follows. We produced or obtained whatever documentation that would permit Ethiopians to acquire an exit visa from the Ethiopian authorities, as long as it appeared authentic and official on its face. The Canadian Immigration Ministry was aware that the documents were not bona fide, but were only to be used to permit the person to leave Ethiopia. The Canadian government was relying on Jewish community sponsorship. The kind of documents used included employment offers, scholarships, health care offers and the like. They were sealed and notarized and looked very official. In addition, funds were channelled to Ethiopian Jewish refugees in Sudan with the help of the UNHCR. 7

8 INDEX OF SCHEDULES The documents referred to in the following index can be consulted at the CJCCC National Archives. Contact: Schedule 1 Letter of Professor Irwin Cotler, President of the Canadian Jewish Congress to The Globe & Mail (Toronto newspaper), dated September 28, 1981 Schedule 2 Action Plan of CJC on behalf of Ethiopian Jewry, dated November 28, 1981 Schedule 3 Letter from Quebec Region Chair of CJC to Stan Cytrynbaum, naming him Chair of ad hoc Quebec Region Committee on Ethiopian Jewry, dated December 18, 1981 Schedule 4 Letter dated September 3, 1982 to Irwin Cotler re CJC meeting of December 1981 with Federal Ministers of Immigration and External Affairs, Axworthy & McGuigan from Stan Cytrynbaum Schedule 5 Notice of public lecture by Dr. Graenum Berger, founder of the American Association for Ethiopian Jewry (AAEJ), at Adath Israel Congregation, Montreal, dated November 30, 1982 Schedule 6 Letter to Mark Zarecki from Louise Gagne of Quebec Immigration, dated December 6, 1982, re various Beta Israel cases, and confirming meeting which had taken place between CJC and Quebec Immigration Minister Gerald Godin re joint program to facilitate 50 Falasha refugee cases. Schedule 7 Channukah family photo of three Ethiopian sisters with their mother Malka, dated December 23, 1982 Schedule 8 Letter from CJC to Canadian Friends of various Israeli Universities, dated May 9, 1982, inquiring re Ethiopian Jewish matters and studies Schedule 9 Letter dated May 30, 1983, from Bialik High School to CJC re their Ethiopian program Schedule 10 Address of Rabbi Yosef Hadane to CJC Plenary Assembly, May 12, 1983 Schedule 11 Report of Rabbi Yosef Hadane re his journey to Canada in May, 1983 Schedules 12 Extract from CJC publication of May, 1983 Schedule 13 Canadian Jewish News article of May 19, 1983 Schedule 14 Letter dated June 2, 1983, from Stan Cytrynbaum to Quebec Region Chair outlining major objectives of committee 8

9 Schedule 15 Letter dated September 15, 1983, from CJC Chair to Stan Cytrynbaum, extending his term as National Chair of Ethiopian Committee for the term from 1983 to 1986 Schedule 16 Letter dated July 23, 1984, from Stan Cytrynbaum to Council of Jewish Federations re General Assembly of November, 1984 Schedule 17 Reply by Council of Jewish Federations dated July 31, 1984 Schedule 18 Schedule 19 Schedule 20 Schedule 21 Schedule 22 Schedule 23 Schedule 24 Schedule 25 Schedule 26 Schedule 27 Schedule 28 Information memo dated October 16, 1984, circulated to community leadership Information memo dated November 16, 1984, circulated to community leadership Notes dated October 30, 1984, taken at debriefing of Melaku Yeob, who arrived from Ethiopia on October 16, 1984 AJCS memo dated December 9, 1984, authorizing $25,000 for Ethiopian rescue efforts to Canada New York Times article dated December 11, 1984, documenting Operation Moses Press release dated January 10, 1985, by Ben Gurion University re activities relating to Ethiopian Jewry New York Times article of March 24, 1985 and article from the Los Angeles Times reporting 7,800 Falashas airlifted from Sudan to Israel between November 21, 1984 and January 6, 1985 (Operation Moses) and the balance of 800 flown out of Sudan by the CIA on or about March 23, 1985 Information memo dated September 13, 1985, circulated to community leadership, including material on Thanksgiving and Memorial Service held on May 12, 1985, at Beth Zion Congregation of Montreal, sponsored by 25 community organization Notice of information meeting on October 9, 1985, at Cummings House, featuring Dr. Michael Alkan of Ben Gurion University Information memo dated April 5, 1987, circulated to community leadership, including a proposed budget for the religious leadership training program for young Ethiopian men at Ramot Shapiro in Israel, a program recommended by Rabbi Yosef Hadane Minutes of meeting of CJC and the Canadian Ambassador to Ethiopia, David MacDonald, dated June 30,

10 Schedule 29 Schedule 30 Schedule 31 Schedule 32 Schedule 33 Schedule 34 Schedule 35 Schedule 36 Schedule 37 Schedule 38 Minutes of meeting held in New York March 23, 1988, convened by NJCRAC, of various parties and organizations of North America and Israel involved in rescue of Ethiopian Jewry. Information memo dated May 8, 1988, circulated to community leadership, including letter of Israeli Religious Affairs Ministry confirming its support of Ramot Shapiro project Flyer of January 15, 1989, of Ethiopian Jewry program at the Tifereth Beth David Jerusalem congregation Information memo dated February 6, 1989, circulated to community leadership, including items attached Letter dated March 20, 1989, received by JIAS from Federal Minister of Immigration, Barbara McDougall, approving the extension of special procedures for an additional 50 cases of Ethiopian Jewish refugees Information memo dated June 16, 1989, circulated to community leadership, with newspaper article from the Suburban attached Letter dated August 4, 1989, from Stan Cytrynbaum to AJCS, summarizing the activities of the CJC Ethiopian Jewry Committee Letter dated October 13, 1989, from Stan Cytrynbaum to CJC Officer Les Scheininger summarizing the CJC rescue program Executive summary dated October 20, 1989, re Ethiopian rescue program, prepared by CJC partner, JIAS Information memo dated December 3, 1989, circulated to community leadership, with items attached, including copy of formal announcement by Ethiopia restoring full diplomatic relations with Israel and New York Times article re same Schedule 39 Letter dated November 24, 1982, from Gershon Levy to Stan Cytrynbaum 10