Gudjo House, the traditional Ethiopian tukul structure, was presented last night inside the Beit Yerushalem community center on Neve Yaakov Boulevard in Jerusalem. The event took place as part of the city’s Seigd celebrations, with the participation of the family of the late Tadesa Teshuma, who was murdered in a terror attack at the entrance to Jerusalem three years ago, alongside municipal and community representatives.
What does Beit Yerushalem offer Jerusalem residents?
Beit Yerushalem, operated by the Municipality’s Social Affairs Division, serves as a cultural and educational hub for Ethiopian Jews and the wider public. It includes learning centers, leadership programs, cultural workshops, higher education support, and community initiatives aimed at strengthening both personal and collective identity.
At the heart of the center stands a reconstructed Ethiopian village. Inside it is Gudjo House, where visitors encounter ceremonial tools, traditional crafts, everyday objects, and cultural practices that reflect the heritage of Ethiopian Jews. The center also integrates virtual reality simulations of village life and a memorial room dedicated to those who perished on their journey to Israel.
How does Gudjo House strengthen Ethiopian Jewish identity?
The project was created through cooperation between the Jerusalem Municipality and several public and private partners, including Itzik and Orna Levy of YVEL, the UJA Federation of New York, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, and the Aliyah and Integration Authority. The house is dedicated to the memory of the late Tadesa Teshuma, whose story is woven into the narrative presented at the site.
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion said: “We are reconnecting Jerusalem to the ancient story of the Beta Israel community. Gudjo House in Beit Yerushalem stands as a living testament to the depth and spiritual strength of Ethiopian Jewish culture. It is a heritage that breathes within our city and forms a meaningful part of Jerusalem’s identity.”
