Falasha

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Pronunciations

Falasha (fuh-LAH-shuh)

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Definitions

  • n. A sometimes derogatory term for a member of Beta Israel.

Example Sentences

  • "Others believe the Falashas to be descendants of prisoners of Shalmaneser, or of Jews driven from Judea when Jerusalem was destroyed in the time of Titus and Vespasian." (source)

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Etymology

  • From an Ethiopian language, possible Ge'ez ፈላሻ fälaša 'wanderer, migrant'

      • Who Uses This

      • Jews: Jews of diverse religious backgrounds and organizational involvements

      Regions

      • North America

      Dictionaries

      • The JPS Dictionary of Jewish Words, by Joyce Eisenberg and Ellen Scolnic, (Philadelphia, 2001).

      Alternative Spellings

      Felasha

Notes

  • "Falashas call themselves Beit Israel (House of Israel) and believe themselves to be descended from the tribe of Dan. They faced discrimination in Ethiopia, and in 1984 and 1991 thousands of these “Black Jews” were airlifted to the State of Israel in daring rescue missions. Some remaining Ethiopians, who want to immigrate to Israel, are facing discrimination and obstacles because of Israel’s debate over the Law of Return." (JPS)

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