Ethiopian Jews | Mehereta Baruch-Ron on how black Jews are the original Zionists

As a child immigrant from rural Ethiopia, Mehereta Baruch Ron could never have imagined she would one day become deputy mayor of Israel's largest city, the international metropolitan Tel Aviv. In this riveting conversation with Eylon Levy, she shares her powerful story of perseverance, identity, and faith, recounting her community's ancient connection to Jerusalem, the harrowing journey through Sudan, and the profound cultural shock upon arriving in Israel. We also explore the unique form of Judaism practiced in Ethiopia, its biblical roots, and the challenges faced by Ethiopian Jews both in Ethiopia and in Israel. This conversation sheds light on the complexities of identity, belonging, and the misconceptions surrounding Israel in the global discourse. Stay up to date at: https://www.stateofanationpodcast.com/ X:   / stateofapod   Instagram:   / stateofapod   Credits: Co-Creator and Host - Eylon Levy Co-Creator and Creative Director - Guy Ross Executive Producer - Asher Westropp-Evans Director - Lotem Segev Graphics/Assistant Director - Thomas Girsch Research - Dan Dimendberg 00:00 Coming Up 00:56 Monologue 02:33 Main Titles 02:48 Introduciton 04:55 Ethiopian Jews - guardians of biblical Judaism 12:11 Ethiopian Zionism 18:36 Growing up in Ethiopia 23:03 Journey to Jerusalem 27:33 Meeting European Jews and modern Israel 30:22 The Left and Israel