Female, Black, and Jewish-Pnina Tamano-Shata
The Inspirational Story of Black Jewish Israeli MP Pnina Tamano-Shata
Pnina Tamano-Shata is an accomplished Israeli attorney and social activist. On May 15, 2020, Tamano-Shata became the first Ethiopian-born female Cabinet Minister in the Israeli Knesset (parliament). Like many Ethiopian-born Israeli’s Tamano-Shata’s journey hasn’t been easy, and she has faced challenges at every turn. Now, as the Israeli Minister of Absorption and Integration, she is able to help other Israeli people of color making Aliyah(immigrating to Israel). Pnina Tamano-Shata is an inspiration to all women, but particularly to Black Jewish women.
The Ethiopian Jews of Israel
Modern-day Ethiopian-born Jews are descendants of the Beta Israel community in Ethiopia. They survived as an isolated group, clinging to their Jewish traditions for over two centuries. It was only in the late-20th century that the Ethiopian Jewish community connected with world Jewry. A debate ensued over whether they were “truly” Jewish, which concluded in their official recognition as diaspora Jews. In the 1980s and 90s, several operations brought this lost tribe of Israel from Addis Ababa to the Holy Land. Over the years, small groups of Ethiopian Jews have continued to arrive in Israel. As recently as December 2020, a group arrived from Ethiopia, thanks to the efforts of Aliyah and Integration Minister, Pnina Tamano-Shata. Approximately 8,000 Ethiopian Jews are still waiting to make Aliyah.
Integration of Ethiopian Jews in Israeli Society
Integration of Ethiopian Jews in Israeli society has been complex, and not without its problems. Older Ethiopian Jews preserve their traditional cuisine, language, style of dress, and traditional worship. The younger generation tends to be well integrated. Ethiopian Israeli’s have succeeded in many fields and continue to make a valuable contribution to the country. One issue facing Israeli Ethiopians is the lack of government representation. Pnina Tamano-Shata’s recent appointment is a positive step in the right direction.
Ethiopians Make their Mark in Israel
Ethiopian Jews started arriving in Israel over three decades ago. Today over 135,000 Israelis of Ethiopian descent live in Israel. About 30 percent of them are Olim(new immigrants) and have been in the country for less than 10 years. Integration is slow but continues to improve. Many Ethiopian families, like Pnina Tamano-Shata’s parents, emphasize education, and this has led to some major achievements in diverse fields. Notable landmarks for Ethiopian Jewry in Israel include the appointment of the first ambassador of Ethiopian descent in 2012; an Ethiopian-Israeli won the Miss Israel Pageant in 2013; two female Israelis of Ethiopian descent were selected to serve as judges in 2016, and a year later the first male Ethiopian judge was appointed. Ethiopian-Israelis also won the 2013 Israeli Big Brother, the 2018 Israeli version of X-Factor, and in 2019, Ethiopian-Israeli Eden Alene was chosen to represent Israel at the next Eurovision.
Pnina Tamano-Shata’s Journey to Israel
Pnina Tamano-Shata was born in 1981, in the northern Ethiopian village of Wuzaba. In 1984, at three years old, Pnina traveled to Israel via Sudan with Operation Moses. The route involved days of trekking on foot, attacks, disease, and dire conditions in a transit camp. The grueling journey included being separated from her mother and sister. Traveling by truck from the camp to the airplane that would bring them to Israel, the truck carrying her mother and sister broke down. Pnina, her father, and five brothers were on a different truck and made it onto the flight to Israel. Her mother and sister followed several years later. Once in Israel, she spent time in an Absorption Center for new immigrants. Here she was separated from her brother, who had carried her across the desert on his back.
Serving the Community and Country
Pnina spent her army service in the Home Front Command and went on to study law and gain a master’s degree in Public Policy. It was during her studies that Tamano-Shata became involved in social activism. She volunteered with at-risk youths and campaigned for the rights of underprivileged neighborhoods. In 2004, she served as Chairperson of the National Ethiopian Student Union and helped establish a center promoting social equality for Israel’s Ethiopian community. In 2012, at age 31, Tamano-Shata was elected to the Knesset. At the time, she was the only Israeli woman of color in the Israeli parliament. From 2015 to 2018, Tamano-Shata held no parliamentary seat and instead focused on campaigning for social justice and voluntary public works. In 2015, she took part in protests against police violence. This led to the establishment of a special Ministry of Justice committee and a new policy to combat racism and discrimination, particularly against Israeli’s of Ethiopian descent.
Recognition and Election
Tamano-Shata’s dedication has earned her several accolades. The Market newspaper included her in their list of 100 most influential Israelis of 2015. She was awarded the 2016 Unsung Hero Award by the Drum Major Institute, founded by the son of Martin Luther King Jr. With her 2020 appointment as an Israeli Cabinet minister, Tamano-Shata is now in a powerful position to continue making positive changes. As fate would have it, Pnina joined the political party headed by Benny Gantz, who had been one of the soldiers sent to Ethiopia in 1984 as part of Operation Moses that brought Pnina to Israel.
Discrimination Against Black Israeli Jews
Race or color-related discrimination is often in Israeli headlines. In 2015 a camera captured the brutal police beating of Ethiopian-born soldier, Damas Pakedeh. In 2019 there were major protests in Israel triggered by the shooting of unarmed, 18-year-old Ethiopian, Solomon Teka, by an off-duty Israeli police officer. The demonstrations were similar to the Black Lives Matter protests and outrage over George Floyd’s murder in the US. Thousands took to the streets to demonstrate against the injustice of Teka’s shooting. Yehuda Biagda is another example of how Jews of color in Israel often face racial profiling. Biagda was a 24-year-old mentally challenged man unnecessarily killed by a police officer. The battle is ongoing for the rights of Ethiopian Jews and an end to racial discrimination by Israeli law enforcement.
Black Lives, Jewish Lives, and All Lives Matter
Jews and people of color share a history of discrimination, but for Jews of color, the issues are even more complex. Several prominent American Jews of color are putting a new face to the stereotypical Jewish image. As we battle through corona into a new normal, BLM calls for an adjustment by people of all races. In this blended, complex global society we live in, it’s good to remember that people are never just “black or white.” The story of Pnina Tamano-Shata, her journey, hard work, and persistent dedication to righteous causes is an inspiration to Jews, women, and Black people across the globe.