Sigd Holiday Marked by Ethiopian Israelis in Jerusalem

Thousands of Ethiopian Jews gathered at Jerusalem’s Sherover Promenade on Thursday to celebrate Sigd, a centuries-old holiday of covenant and longing for Zion. The annual event brought together worshippers, spiritual leaders, and dignitaries a powerful fusion of tradition and Israeli identity set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Temple Mount.

Observed 50 days after Yom Kippur, Sigd is one of the most sacred days in the Beta Israel calendar. Rooted in the Ge’ez word for “prostration,” it commemorates the renewal of the covenant between the Jewish people and God, evoking the revelation at Mount Sinai. In Ethiopia, Jews would ascend a mountain to pray for return to Jerusalem. Today, that prayer is fulfilled and celebrated in the capital of the Jewish state.

This year’s gathering was especially meaningful. Among those present was Avera Mengistu, the former Israeli hostage held by Hamas in Gaza for over a decade. Attending the public Sigd prayers in Jerusalem for the first time, he received a moving blessing from the community’s kessim, the spiritual elders of Beta Israel.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog marked the occasion with a poignant message: “For thousands of years, Ethiopian Jews dreamed of returning home to Zion. For many, this dream is now a reality. This is the beauty of Zionism.” His words echoed the very heart of Sigd a festival born from yearning, now transformed into celebration.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also issued a tribute, describing Sigd as “a holiday that expresses deep faith, renewal and the enduring longing for the Land of Israel and for our capital Jerusalem.”

Sigd was officially recognized as an Israeli holiday in 2008 and now serves as a cultural bridge between the Beta Israel community and the broader Israeli society. It is both a symbol of historical perseverance and a vibrant expression of Jewish unity in the modern era.

As of 2024, the Ethiopian Jewish community in Israel numbers nearly 178,000, with just over half born in Ethiopia and the rest Israeli-born. In the past year alone, 285 Ethiopian Jews made aliyah, continuing the journey toward the land their ancestors only dreamed of.

The annual Sigd gathering is more than a cultural event it is a declaration of belonging, a celebration of Jewish identity, and a testament to the strength and unity of the State of Israel.

Share this article and subscribe to our newsletter to explore more stories of Jewish tradition, heritage, and the people who make Israel the living heart of our shared history.