Bridges of Rhythm and Story: Reflections from My Ethiopia Entwine Journey

posted October 10, 2025 by Yona Elfassi, PhD, Marion Lemesh Fellowship Recipient

My JDC Entwine trip to Ethiopia was a profoundly eye-opening experience that allowed me to engage with a culture that is both vibrant and deeply rooted in its traditions. Thank you to the Lemesh family for the opportunity to have this meaningful experience in memory of Marion Lemesh z”l. 

As an anthropologist, I approached the journey with curiosity, but the lived experience of Ethiopia, its food, people, customs, coffee ceremonies, and the palpable love for the country, taught me lessons that transcended academic observation. Sharing meals and learning the nuances of local cuisine revealed more than tastes; it revealed the ways in which community, family, and history are embedded in everyday life. The warmth and respect the people showed towards each other and towards outsiders were striking, highlighting a social fabric that values both dignity and connection, challenging any stereotypes one might hold about Ethiopia.  

Throughout my time there, I gained invaluable insight into the Ethiopian community, not only in terms of cultural practices but also in understanding their needs and aspirations. Listening to people’s stories, hearing their challenges, and observing the pride they take in their heritage emphasized the importance of elevating voices that are often marginalized or underrepresented.  

As someone with African roots myself, born in Morocco, this experience reminded me that connecting with my heritage is not only a personal journey but also a responsibility to engage thoughtfully and respectfully with the communities I encounter. Participating in local dances, for instance, revealed a natural kinesthetic connection that resonated with my own cultural memory and reinforced the embodied nature of cultural expression. The fluidity and rhythm of Ethiopian dance awakened something innate within me, bridging my personal history with the collective rhythm of the community. 

The experience also provided a lens through which I could reflect on how to serve communities meaningfully back home in Israel. By immersing myself fully and prioritizing listening, I learned the importance of telling stories with authenticity and care. Documenting and sharing these narratives is not simply about representation; it is about giving the community agency to define itself on its own terms and offering audiences a view into realities they might not otherwise encounter.  

It is remarkable how a conversation on the bus while traveling between sites became both a moment of reflection and a spark of inspiration. In that intimate, contemplative space, ideas began to take shape for a future U.S. tour in which I aim to share the transformative power of different stories. I realized that stories are not merely entertainment or information—they have the capacity to illuminate unseen realities, challenge perceptions, and cultivate empathy.  

This seed planted in Ethiopia is now taking form in a tour across the United States, where I will share my story through my project Limud Darija, which highlights the Jewish renaissance of Moroccan Arabic in Israel. Through this project, I represent a community of Jews from Arab countries who carry a profound sense of belonging to the culture, traditions, and languages of their homelands. By sharing these narratives, the tour can serve as a bridge across cultures, allowing audiences to experience perspectives beyond their own. 

I am grateful to JDC Entwine for creating a space that brings people together in reflection, service, and action, and for fostering experiences that inspire both personal growth and meaningful cultural exchange.  

About the Marion Lemesh Fellowship

Marion Lemesh’s family has a deep connection and appreciation for JDC’s work. Marion’s parents were Holocaust survivors, (serving as a soldier in the Red Army and as a Partizan) and met each other in a JDC-supported Displaced Person’s Camp in Austria in the aftermath of World War II. Marion’s father worked for the JDC in a variety of roles including as driver and mechanic. JDC’s life-changing job opportunities helped her parents get back on their feet and provided the necessary support to start a family. Shortly after Marion was born, the family moved to the United Kingdom to rebuild their lives.

Marion is remembered as fiercely independent and devoted to the care of those she loved, having lived a life of the values which she most represented: a commitment to education, personal responsibility, freedom, travel, and tzedakah. The Fellowship in memory of Marion Lemesh z”l is designed to strengthen links between communities by providing young adults the experience to travel, learn, and explore the world in an impactful and meaningful way.