Thousands of Ethiopian Jews Mark Holy Day of Sigd in Jerusalem

Thousands of Ethiopian Jews gathered in Jerusalem on Monday, November 9, 2026, to celebrate Sigd, one of the most significant religious and cultural holidays of the Ethiopian Jewish community.

The celebrations took place at the Sherover Promenade near Armon Hanatziv, overlooking Jerusalem’s Old City, where religious leaders known as Kessim led prayers and ceremonies attended by community members dressed in traditional white garments.

The annual gathering provided an opportunity for the community to celebrate its heritage, renew religious commitments and reflect on generations of longing for Jerusalem.

According to the Associated Press, the celebration also highlighted the progress made by Ethiopian Jews who have settled in Israel, while religious leaders renewed calls for those still in Ethiopia to be reunited with their families.

What Is the Sigd Festival?

Sigd is an ancient religious holiday observed by Ethiopian Jews, particularly the Beta Israel community. It is celebrated on the 29th day of the Hebrew month of Cheshvan, approximately 50 days after Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement.

The holiday centres on prayer, fasting, repentance and the renewal of the covenant between the Jewish people and God.

The name Sigd is associated with prostration and worship. Its traditions are rooted in Ethiopian Jewish religious history and express the community’s enduring commitment to its faith and connection to Jerusalem.

Traditionally, Ethiopian Jews in Ethiopia would climb a mountain to pray, fast and renew their religious commitment. The journey symbolised the biblical gathering at Mount Sinai and the community’s hope of returning to Jerusalem.

Today, the tradition continues in Israel through large public gatherings, prayers and cultural celebrations.

Kessim Lead Prayers and Traditional Ceremonies

During Monday’s celebrations, Kessim, the spiritual leaders of the Ethiopian Jewish community, led prayers and religious readings.

The ceremony featured traditional clothing, colourful ceremonial umbrellas and prayers conducted in Ge’ez, the ancient liturgical language used in Ethiopian Jewish religious traditions.

Participants gathered to observe the religious significance of the day while celebrating their cultural identity and passing traditions on to younger generations.

Sigd has also become an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between Ethiopian Israelis and the wider Jewish community.

A Celebration of Heritage and Integration

Israel is home to approximately 180,000 people of Ethiopian Jewish descent, according to the Associated Press.

One of the most significant moments in the community’s modern history was Operation Solomon in May 1991, when Israel airlifted approximately 14,500 Ethiopian Jews to Israel in less than two days as Ethiopia was experiencing civil war.

The operation became a defining moment in the history of Ethiopian Jewish migration and family reunification.

Speaking during this year's celebrations, religious leader Michael Maharat highlighted the community’s progress and integration into Israeli society.

He also expressed hope that Ethiopian Jews who remain in Ethiopia would eventually be able to immigrate and reunite with relatives in Israel.

Sigd Recognised as an Israeli National Holiday

Sigd has grown beyond its traditional religious observance to become an important symbol of Ethiopian Jewish identity and cultural recognition in Israel.

In 2008, Israel officially recognised the holiday as a national day, giving it wider public recognition and encouraging greater awareness of Ethiopian Jewish history and traditions.

The annual celebrations provide an opportunity for younger generations to understand their heritage while encouraging other communities to appreciate the cultural and religious diversity within Israeli society.

Preserving a Tradition Across Generations

The gathering in Jerusalem demonstrated the continued importance of Sigd as both a religious observance and a celebration of cultural identity.

For Ethiopian Jews, the holiday represents faith, unity, remembrance and the historical journey towards Jerusalem. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving traditions that have survived across generations.

As thousands gathered to pray and celebrate, this year's Sigd observance once again placed Ethiopian Jewish heritage at the centre of Jerusalem's cultural and religious calendar.