On November 21, 1984, a seven-week clandestine operation to bring the “Beta Israel” — Ethiopian Jews — to Israel began. The unprecedented undertaking, code-named “Operation Moses,” was a three-way collaboration between the Mossad, the CIA and Sudanese State Security (SSS) to smuggle nearly 8,000 Beta Israel out of Ethiopia, where they faced hardship and persecution, in a massive airlift to Israel. Operation Moses turned out to be the beginning of large-scale, official Israeli efforts to facilitate Beta Israel aliyah that continued for decades thereafter.

Larry Rubinstein, Maine resident, ordained rabbi, and former Director of the Young Leadership Cabinet of the United Jewish Appeal, was a key player in Operation Moses. Join us as he walks us through his riveting personal story against the backdrop of one of the most remarkable rescue missions in modern history. An array of homemade Ethiopian and Israeli delicacies to follow the presentation and Q&A, and the paintings of Ethiopian-born Israeli Artist Tigist Yoseph Ron (who came to Israel through Operation Moses) will be on display and available for viewing and purchase.