The Sigd celebration Jonathan Mark wrote about in the Nov. 1 issue (“Under African Skies”) was such a delight and success. I attended along with about 200 other Jews who love and support Jewish diversity. All who attended enjoyed the day, listening to the kes (Ethiopian clergy) from Israel, and Rabbi Sharon Shalom, both Ethiopian rabbis who traveled to the New York City Sigd from Israel and chanted under colorful, traditional umbrellas. They were accompanied by Princeton professor Ephraim Isaac, also Ethiopian.
And just like every Jewish event, there was food, but this time kosher Ethiopian food. The music of the Ethiopian DEBO band and dancers was fantastic, with a lot of shoulder dancing in the Ethiopian style. There was even an Ethiopian coffee ceremony. Perhaps some day it will be an international Jewish holiday.
Kudos to Chassida Shmella for pulling off this magnificent day. I will certainly look for this event next year, especially since it will be the 30th anniversary of the historic Operation Moses.
Plainview, L.I.
