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First Falashas Immigrate to Canada

November 14, 1980
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Three Ethiopian Jews, the first Falashas to immigrate directly to North America, have arrived in Canada where they will reside for a time although they intend to settle in Israel eventually. Their names were not disclosed in order to protect relatives living in Ethiopia,

The Falashas were admitted to Canada through the efforts of the newly formed Canadian Association for Ethiopian Jewry, chaired by Bruce Gottlieb and because of the friendly relations existing between Canada and Ethiopia. Gottlieb, a college professor and Baruch Tegegne, an Ethiopian Jew, both of Montreal, said they intend to help bring more Falashas to Canada in the future if possible.

The Association, headquartered in Toronto, plans to raise money to aid in the rescue of the Falashas and assist their. integration in Israel. Details of its rescue operations will remain secret because of the delicacy of the situation in Ethiopia, Gottlieb said. The funds raised to dote have come entirely from private sources.

However the Canadian Jewish Congress agreed recently to set up a Committee for Ethiopian Jew based in Toronto and chaired by Gottlieb. Its role will be to publicize the conditions of the Falashas. Its first meeting is scheduled to be held in Toronto on Nov. 26.

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