The Storyteller's Beads

The Storyteller’s Beads By Jane Kurtz

Book Club Guide by Irit Eliav Levin, MSW

This book club guide is designed to be used by parent-child book clubs. At the end of the guide, you will find activities that your book club can do together. Some book clubs may choose to create one session for answering questions and another for doing one or more of the activities provided in this guide. Feel free to use as much or as little of the guide as is helpful to your club!

Historical Context The Beta-Israel have been living in Ethiopia for centuries. In the 1980s, persecution mounted and it became unsafe for the Jews to stay there. In 1984, Operation Moses successfully brought somewhere between 6,000-8,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel. Additional airlifts continued with Operation Joshua, Operation Sheba, and Operation Solomon which helped bring tens of thousands of Ethiopian Jews to Israel. Today, an estimated 125,000 Ethiopian Jews are living in Israel.

1. How do you think the Beta-Israel were able to maintain their tradition for so many generations? 2. What differences do you think exist between the way they practice Judaism and the way that you practice? 3. How much do you think the Beta-Israel knew about the other Jews around the world? What do you think they would have thought of Jewish traditions in many lands? 4. How do you think the Beta-Israel felt when they got to Israel and learned about some of these differences? How do you think the Israelis felt upon seeing the traditions of the Beta-Israel?

5. Why do you think such harsh rumors were spread about the Beta-Israel - that they turned into hyenas and could stop crops from growing? What other rumors have been spread about Jews over time? 6. To see some of the historical context, watch this video on The Jews of Ethiopia.

General Discussion Questions 1. Many of the characters in this book are very afraid of strangers. What do you think led to this fear? 2. The Beta-Israel were not allowed to own land. Many minority groups face similar restrictions around the world. What does land represent? Why do you think people in power want to restrict who has access to land? 3. Sahay’s uncle tells her that they are in more danger from other humans than from any animal. Why do you think people are so cruel to one another at times? 4. Sahay’s uncle does not believe the rumors about the Beta-Israel because he has done business with many of them. How can interacting with people who are different from us help to reduce stereotypes and fear?  One group working on this is called SlimPeace which brings Israelis and Palestinians together to partner on weight loss goals. What do you think of this project? 5. The girls who walk by Rahel call her “no one” because she is blind. Too often, people with disabilities are disregarded or ignored by others. How can we be more welcoming and inclusive in our communities? 6. Grandmother teaches Rahel the saying that “one stone is enough against fifty clay pots.” What do you think of that expression? What does it teach you about the power of one person? 7. Were you surprised to learn that Sahay’s family also prayed to Jerusalem? What did you think when you first learned that information? 8. Sahay’s uncle teachers her “wherever misfortune comes, people look for someone to blame.” Do you think that is true? 9. The Beta-Israel believe that once they get to Jerusalem they will wear white and pray all day. What do you think life will really be like for them? 10. Why do you think the government didn’t want people to leave Ethiopia? 11. Rahel says that her mother gave her butter as a baby “to make her voice soft and respectful.” What do you think of this idea? Can food shape your personality?

12. When Sahay nearly faints, one woman walks by and says “no one must fall behind.” Dawit offers her water to help her regain her strength. Why do you think the first woman does not offer any help? Why do you think Dawit does? 13. Why is Sahay worried about drinking “falasha water?” Why can’t she accept the kindness being offered to her? 14. Rahel plays the flute to calm the group. Why do you think music is so comforting? 15. The women showed tremendous courage by staying still when ordered to move by the Sudanese soldiers. In the end, their resistance worked and the soldiers rode away. How can you work against those who are oppressing others? 16. Rahel says that the camp doesn’t smell like a mother of shelter. How do you imagine a mother of shelter would smell? 17. Sahay says “perhaps God really did bake your people and my people in the same batch.” What do you think of that idea? How would the world be different if people recognized ways in which we are all “made the same?” 18. Sahay calls the airplanes they board “a great silver fish” and later an “iron bird.” What would you think if you were seeing an airplane for the first time? 19. For many of the airplanes that brought people to Israel, all of the seats were removed so that they could bring as many people as possible to safety. Can you imagine traveling on an airplane this way? 20. Sahay feels guilty for hiding when Waldu went to help. What do you think of her choice? 21. How do you think the Beta Israel felt when they arrived in Jerusalem? 22. Even today, many passengers on airplanes arriving in Israel burst into song, excited about visiting our homeland. Why do you think their reaction is so strong?

Personal Reflections 1. Sahay and Rahel are both sad to leave the only homes they have ever known. Grandmother tells Rahel to take a piece of pottery with her to stay connected to the earth of her home. What would you take if you were traveling to a new place? 2. Sahay hopes that her father’s walking stick will give her strength. Do you have anything that once belonged to someone you loved? What does seeing that object help you remember? 3. Sahay and Rahel both feel a strong sense of connection to their people. Who do you consider to be “your people?” (You might have more than one group). What makes you feel connected to them? 4. Sahay hopes that God will send an answer to her prayers. Have you ever felt like God answered your prayers? Why or why not?

5. Rahel wishes she could drink from the river of courage. What are some ways you find courage in your own life? 6. Grandmother gives Rahel her necklace with the storyteller’s beads. Do you have a piece of jewelry from an ancestor? If so, share the story of that item. 7. Grandmother teaches Rahel “in some people it is in their nature to be kind.” Do you think this is true? Can you share examples of kind people you have met in your life? What are some ways you could be more kind to others? 8. The priest taught that “this place that felt like home could never truly be home.” What do you think makes a place a home? 9. Many governments have forced men to become soldiers. What would you do if that happened to someone you loved? How would you feel? 10. Rahel often talks about things the house is “saying.” If your home could speak, what do you think it would say? 11. It is very brave of Rahel to offer to stay with her grandmother. Why do you think she makes that choice? What is the bravest thing you’ve ever done? 12. Rahel’s grandmother responds to her plea come to Israel with “even an old woman and a girl would be missed if we did not go to Jerusalem.” Where would you be missed if you chose not to participate? 13. Rahel is scared as she starts her journey to Jerusalem. When was the last time you felt scared? Were you able to overcome your fears? If so, how? 14. Rahel is sad when she must leave behind the pot that grandmother made. She says that now “only the stories are left.” Have you ever lost someone you love? What stories do you like to share about them? 15. Often at a shiva minyan, people will share stories about the person who has passed away. Many times, these stories evoke strong emotions - from tears to laughter at funny memories. How does storytelling help us to remember? How does it help us to heal? How does it bring us together? 16. Rahel says that “all people need someone who will go with them and not leave them all alone on the path.” Who are the people you count on in your life? Who are the people that count on you? How can you help others who feel alone? 17. Rahel is eager in the camp to find the place where she belongs. Where do you feel you most belong? What makes you feel that way? 18. What do you think of the idea of mahala? Are there people in your life who are like family, even if they are not blood relatives? 19. Have you ever visited Jerusalem? What was that experience like for you? 20. What did you find most interesting in the history section at the end of the book?

Jewish Practice 1. There are other communities around the world that also identify as being one of the “lost tribes of Israel.” One example is this community in China. What do you think about their Jewish practice? 2. Throughout the book, Sahay and Rahel (and their families) reference the evil eye. In Jewish mysticism, several things exist to help protect against the evil eye. Some examples include:  hamsa - a amulet of a hand, worn on the body or placed on the walls of homes as a way to keep away the evil eye  red string - seen as a way to ward off evil. In Israel, it is sometimes first wrapped around Rachel’s tomb, to benefit from Rachel’s kindness  tefillin - in medieval times, some women would wrap tefillin around their bed posts during childbirth as a protector against the evil eye and Lillith, Adam’s first wife (according to midrash) who would steal newborn babies. What do you think of these ideas? Is the evil eye relevant in today’s world? 3. Sahay and her uncle do not look back once they leave their home. In the Torah, we learn that Lot’s family must leave their home as God plans to destroy the city due to wickedness. They are told not to look back, but Lot’s wife does so anyway and is turned into a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:26)  What do you think we can learn from these stories?  When is it good to “look back” on things in your life?  When is it better to focus on moving forward? 4. Sahay and her uncle place food on the stone as an offering as they begin their journey. The Israelites also used to bring food as a sacrifice. We commemorate this in current practices, such as remembering the first fruits on Shavuot. Do you think we should still bring food as a sacrifice? If not, what should we do instead? 5. Sahay and her uncle pray for a safe journey. We also have a journey prayer - T’fillat Haderech. What do you think of this prayer? Can you imagine saying it before going on a trip? How is this prayer similar to the one Sahay’s uncle says? 6. When guest came to Sahay’s house, her mother would feed them and wash their feet. In the Torah, three strangers came to visit Abraham and Sarah. As soon as Abraham sees the men, he runs to them and says “Let a little water be brought; bathe your feet and recline under the tree. And let me fetch a morsel of bread that you may refresh yourselves.” (Genesis 18:4-5) Do you think Sahay’s mother was imitating Abraham’s lesson? What lessons can you learn about how you fulfill the mitzvah of hachnassat orchim, the commandment to welcome guests?

7. Rahel finds a lot of strength in Torah stories. Have you ever found strength from Torah? If so, share your experience with the group. If not, are there other aspects of Jewish tradition that have given you strength? 8. Grandmother initially says that she is too old to make the journey to Zion. Do you think there were Israelite slaves in Egypt who felt the same way? What do you think happened to them? 9. Rahel calls the tree in her village “Deborah’s tree.” Deborah was a judge and prophetess for the Israelites. “She used to sit under the Palm of Deborah, between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites would come to her for decisions.” (Judges 4:5) She is also credited with helping the Israelites win the war to enter Canaan. What lessons do you think Rahel receives from the story of Deborah? 10. Someone set the roof of the synagogue of the Beta-Israel on fire. Throughout history, Jews have been targets of anti-semitism, especially during economically challenging times. Why do you think that is true? What can be done to prevent that from happening? 11. The Beta-Israel acknowledge that the road to Jerusalem will be hard. How has the road to (and for) Israel been hard throughout Jewish history? 12. Rahel often references the story of Hirute, who we call Ruth. The story of Ruth is of a young woman who is a stranger that finds a home and a new life in Israel. How is Ruth like Rahel in this story? How is Ruth like Sahay? 13. The connection to Israel resonates throughout Jewish History, as shared by the famous poet Yehudah HaLevi (1075-1141) in his poem, “My Heart is in the East.”  My heart is in the East, and I am at the ends of the West;/How can I taste what I eat and how could it be pleasing to me?/How shall I render my vows and my bonds, while yet Zion lies beneath the fetter of Edom, and I am in the chains of Arabia?/It would be easy for me to leave all the bounty of Spain/As it is precious for me to behold the dust of the desolate sanctuary. What do you think of this poem? What is the author trying to say? 14. Abraham becomes the father of the Jewish people when he leaves the land where he was raised to head to Canaan. How is his story like that of the Ethiopian Jews? Listen to Debbie Friedman’s Song L’chi Lach. How does this song share the story of both Abraham and the Ethiopian Jews? 15. Rahel tells her grandmother that they must “take their place in the story” of the Jewish people. What do you think your place in the story is now? What would you like it to be in the future? 16. Dawit argues that the group should stop on the Sabbath. Do you think he is right? Or is this a case of Pikuach Nefesh, saving a life (in this case many lives) which would be more important than the rules of Shabbat?

17. On Rahel’s travel journey, they also eat unleavened bread. How are they like the Israelites leaving Egypt? How can you incorporate remembering their story into your next Passover seder? 18. The tazkar ritual is similar to the idea of saying kaddish for those who are dead. What do you think our obligations are to those we love who have died? Questions for Kids 1. Sahay thinks about the rumors she has heard about what she calls the Falasha. She believes that she has heard them so often, “how could they not be true?” How do you decide what to believe or not believe? 2. Rahel’s mother says that it is not polite to question your elders. But Jewish tradition often encourages kids to ask questions. For example, at the seder kids are supposed to ask the 4 questions (Ma Nishtana)! Which do you prefer? Does your family encourage you to ask questions? What about your school? 3. Rahel is afraid to go to the markato because of the way others treat her. Have you ever been afraid to go somewhere because of the way others treat you? 4. Rahel says that her grandmother is like God teaching Adam and Eve, because she taught her new skills after she became blind. Who teaches you new things? 5. Sahay believes her stubbornness will help her get through the journey. Talk about a time when you were stubborn. Did it help you get through a difficult time? 6. Rahel describes her happiness at grandmother’s willingness to come on the trip as “a river of joy poured and bubbled from the top of [her] head to her feet.” Have you ever felt that happy about something? Share your experience with the group. Questions for Parents 1. Sahay’s parents would discipline her by threatening that a hyena or a stranger would get her if she misbehaved. What do you think of that parenting style? 2. Rahel’s mother says “this day has filled itself with things to do.” How do your days get filled? This line suggests little control over what has filled the day. Do you feel that way sometimes? How do you respond? 3. Children don’t naturally hate. They have to be taught to think that way. Why do you think some parents teach their children to hate others? 4. How do you think Rahel’s parents felt watching their children leave for Israel? 5. Rahel’s father says the Shema as Rachel and Dawit are leaving on their journey. Why do you think this prayer helped to give them strength?

For more information, check out the Parents Guide on the PJ Our Way website.

Activities

Screen Time: 1. Listen to the song “Just Another Foreigner” by Safam. You can also read the Lyrics here. What is this song trying to teach us about the Jewish people? How do you think Sahay or Rahel would have felt if they had heard this song? 2. Many people believe that there are 10 lost tribes of Israel. The Beta-Israel are one. Another example of a lost tribe are the Beta Menashe in India. This video shows the arrival of some members of this tribe to Israel. What do you think about the lost tribes? What questions do you have about the way they practice Judaism? What do you think is the same or different from how you practice? 3. At around the same time as the Ethiopian Jews came to Israel, many people were also working to help free Jews living in the Soviet Union. Watch this video which highlights a march that took place in Washington DC to help free the Soviet Jews. Similar marches happened all over North America. These are two great examples of the Jewish community working together to end oppression. What are some goals we could work together towards addressing today? 4. The Ethiopian Jews are not the only ones in Africa. There is still a thriving community of Jews in Uganda, called the Abayudaya. You can hear them singing some traditional Jewish prayers and music. 5. Watch Abby’s Book Review on this book. Do you agree with her five main points? What would you add? 6. Ethiopian Jews continued to arrive in Israel for many years. One of the founding principles of Israel was that any Jew would always be welcome. As you watch this video, what do you notice about how these immigrants were welcomed? 7. Watch this powerful video from the Israeli Defense Forces about Operation Solomon, the second group of Ethiopian Jews to leave. What do you think it must have been like to be a part of this mission - either as the Israelis behind the scenes or as one of the Ethiopian passengers on the plane?

General Activities: 1. There are many Ethiopian words throughout the book. How often did you look at the glossary to see what they meant? In Jewish communities, there are many commonly used words that might seem foreign to outsiders. As a group, make a glossary of words you think someone new to Judaism might find most helpful. 2. Take this quiz from PJ Our Way about this book! 3. Look up some recipes for Ethiopian foods and make some with your book club! If there is an Ethiopian restaurant in your city, consider going there with your club.