Siyyum Party

After I received all the Bat Mitzvah embroidery projects, we had a party.  Everyone brought something to the party – cold drinks, popcorn, Ethiopian coffee, traditional Ethiopian dishes and I brought chocolate-peanut butter-oatmeal balls and peanut butter rice crispy squares. The manager of the absorption center, the gal who organized all the bat/bar mitzvah projects and the actual event (July 19^th in Jerusalem), an Ethiopian male worker and two American visitors joined my translator, the bat mitzvah girls and their mothers and myself. The manager gave a bracha (blessing) to all the bat mitzvah girls to succeed, followed by another blessing from the Ethiopian male worker. He then said hamotzei and cut the Dabo (Ethiopian Shabbat Bread), which was served to everyone there.

Bruria, Manager of Absorption Center

Uvnish, my translator

Dabo is a dense bread that is lightly spiced with nigella seeds and turmeric. It is typically made in a round frying pan and cooked on the stove covered for about 25 minutes. A couple of women made Injera, an unique Ethiopian staple bread. It has a distinct taste, which comes from its tangy flavor and the use of Teff flour and is a thin flat bread, like crepes. Injera was served with Amhari Mesir Wat (Spicy Ethiopian Lentil Bowl).

We had traditional Ethiopian music playing throughout the party.  Some of the girls and women did traditional dancing, which is mostly upper body movement.  My translator came over dancing and got me up to dance with her – I did my best to copy her movements.  We all had a really nice time.  Some of the girls and women thanked me and talked about their experiences learning embroidery and making their Bat Mitzvah projects. Teaching them has been very rewarding, and then to hear that so many enjoyed it, it really made me feel so good.

girls dancing