Ashager Araro's reverence for dreams extends far beyond mere aspirations or poetic musings; for her, they hold profound significance embedded in Israel’s history, her ancestral roots, and her personal journey.
Born in Ethiopia, Ashager’s family yearned for a life in Jerusalem for generations. However, upon reaching their longed-for destination, the reality was far from their dreams. Struggling against social isolation and racial prejudice as a Black Jew, Ashager's parents fostered a fierce determination within her and helped her practice empathy toward her peers. This unwavering sense of self fueled her dream of a more equitable Israel, and she emerged as a champion for ethnic minorities, particularly for her own Ethiopian community.
Ashager went on to create Battae — Amharic for “home”— which serves as a sanctuary where fellow African Jews can find community and celebrate the richness of their heritage through food, dance, and education.
Join Gil as he gains a deeper understanding of Ashager’s remarkable story, how she utilizes her online reach, and endeavors to help Gil master his very first word in Amharic: "ameseginalehu" (Thank you).
More about storymarkTM
storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit whose mission is to empower leaders to engage their networks in meaningful Israel experiences, fostering an understanding and appreciation of Israel's unique culture, diversity, and complex reality, which they carry back into their own lives and leadership roles. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.
storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer and Editor is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.
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