Adina

My name is Adina and I was born in Gonder, Ethiopia.

My family escaped to Israel on the Operation Solomon airplanes in 1991. Since biblical days when the twelve tribes of Jacob separated and the tribe of Dan settled in Ethiopia the passion to return to Jerusalem never ceased.

I grew up in Bnei Brak, a central city in Israel, when most other Ethiopian settled in North or South. My family was only one of a few Ethiopian families in the area and immediately felt the pressure of being different. Although difficult I assimilated quickly. I am grateful that my parents are very welcoming people and made sure I knew the importance of respecting and accepting everyone.

I moved to America with my husband David and two daughters Ariel and Eliyah at the end of 2015. In 2017 we welcomed our boy Noam.

I didn’t know what to expect being a Black Jewish Woman in America. It is somewhat conflicting when people assume I am African American when my heritage is so different. The thing I have most in common with African Americans is my skin color and here lies the problem- too many people see skin color above everything else.

I am proud to be who I am.