Since 1991, Irene Fertik has been working on a photo book project, documenting Ethiopian Jews in their new/ancient home of Israel. The title of this book, From Tesfa to Tikva, means from hope to hope – the first in Amharic, the other in Hebrew.The story of the Ethiopian Jews spans millennia. Holding fast to a dream of returning to Jerusalem, this ancient biblical community began immigrating to Israel in the late 1970’s. However, the move from isolated agrarian mountain villages in Ethiopia to a modern technological culture in Israel has meant an incredible sacrifice for the older immigrants, and enormous challenges and adjustments for their children. Both in photos and text, Fertik chronicles the story of 25 years of change and transition. In this stunning book, the visual contrasts are extraordinary, showcasing an ancient African people in a mostly white modern society. These graceful, reserved people are enduring and blossoming, from tesfa to tikva.

Today Israel's nearly 140,000 Ethiopians are still in a transition period, where the old ways are continuing to be practiced, but are making way for the new. The successes within the community have been tempered by many failures. Most families live below the poverty line, and juvenile delinquency is epidemic; yet there are over 2,400 Ethiopian students now in higher education studies, 100 Ethiopian small businesses, and 24 rabbis have been ordained. Both in photos and text, Fertik chronicles the story of 25 years of change and transition. In this stunning book, the visual contrasts are extraordinary, showcasing an ancient African people in a mostly white modern society.

CATEGORY
Photography/Current Affairs

PUBLICATION YEAR
2018

PAGE COUNT
96 pages Oblong

Distributed by the Red Sea Press.