Traditions & Culture
The materials below offer foundational background on Beta Israel history, key terms, and commonly asked questions, designed to support informed and contextual learning. Full holiday resource and facilitated sessions are available through partnership and require password access. For inquiries, Orit’s Lead Instructor, Tammy, at t.habteyes@gmail.com.
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Introduction to Beta Israel (Ethiopian Jews)
This overview introduces key terms, historical foundations, and commonly asked questions about Beta Israel religious life. It is intended as a starting point for deeper study.
This overview introduces key terms, historical foundations, and commonly asked questions about Beta Israel religious life. It is intended as a starting point for deeper study.
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Tammy Metasabiya Habteyes is the founder and Lead Instructor of Orit Jewish Learning, an initiative dedicated to advancing Ethiopian Jewish (Beta Israel) tradition within contemporary Jewish communal life.
“I want to bring my family’s traditions to the table! To the Shabbat table and the seder table! I want to share them with the broader Jewish community. Orit is my contribution. Even the name, Orit Jewish Learning, sounds familiar — but what is Orit?”
- Tammy Metasabiya Habteyes
Tammy works with Jewish institutions to design and lead structured educational programs, including foundational learning, holiday-based programming, and multi-session offerings for youth and adult audiences nationwide.
Tammy is a visiting educator with a background in Jewish community organizing and advocacy. Previously serving as Program Director at TischPDX and is an alum of the Tiyuv Evaluator Fellowship, where she led regional research initiatives such as the JOCI-funded JOC (Jews of Color) survey in the Pacific Northwest.To inquire about programs, partnerships, or speaking engagements, please contact Tammy, Lead Instructor, at t.habteyes@gmail.com.
