Lost Tribes and Coffee Ceremonies: Zar Spirit Possession and the Ethno-Religious Identity of Ethiopian Jews in Israel

Abstract

The immigration of Ethiopian Jews to Israel has been steeped in debates over religious authenticity and identity. Throughout the immigration and assimilation process, and even prior to immigration, in Ethiopia, zar spirit beliefs and practices have been a fulcrum for contests over the ethno‐religious identity of Ethiopian Jews. This paper explores the intersection between zar and Judaism in Israel, debates over theology and observance, and the ramifications for the development of Ethiopian Jewish identity, integration, and religious practice.