“Operation Solomon” may sound like a ride at the country’s newest biblical theme park. Indeed, it was a ride of sorts — for more than 15,000 Ethiopian Jews who were airlifted from their war-torn country to safety in Israel ten years ago.
“It was almost like magic that an entire community was picked up and deposited in Israel,” said local philanthropist Martin F. (Marty) Stein, who witnessed the operation on May 24, 1991. “It was the longest and the shortest mission in my life. We were only there nine hours.”
Some years earlier, Stein, then a national vice chairman of the United Jewish Appeal, had participated in Operation Moses, the first secret mission to rescue Ethiopian Jews, which culminated in 1985. “We took the approach ‘rescue first, worry later,’” he said. “Still carrying the unbelievable memory of ‘Moses’ with me, I couldn’t pass up a similar opportunity” with Operation Solomon.
During Operation Solomon, secrecy was again paramount. Stein recalled that bus drivers were told they were taking kids to the zoo. “One driver was late and was confused at all the fuss about his tardiness. In the meantime, Israeli planes were waiting at the airport to begin the airlift.
“In less than two days we got 15,000 Jews out. Seats were taken out of the planes to get more people on board. Another real miracle was that the planes weren’t shot at when they flew over Arab countries,” he said.
In all, some 34 planes flew 40 runs in 36 hours.
Stein recalled: “As the planes began to arrive in Tel Aviv, we rushed to Ben Gurion Airport. We walked up the gateway and looked inside. The smells, the people — everything became a reality. We came face to face with the people — my people. They were weak, they were sick.
“This was not a distant time and place — this was here and now. We saw people [with] sores bandaged in rags, babies without diapers and women, all of whom had covered heads,” Stein said.
He was struck by the fact that “all of a sudden these people made a jump of 8-10,000 miles and 2,000 years in a day’s time. Many of them saw for the first time buses, flushing toilets, buildings and airplanes.”
Efforts honored
Stein’s efforts on behalf of Ethiopian Jewry, both behind the scenes and on the front lines of the rescue operations, are being honored during this tenth anniversary of Operation Solomon with a concert by Shlomo Gronich and the Sheba Choir on Wednesday, April 25.
This renowned choir comprises 13 children from the Ethiopian Jewish community, mostly new immigrants, who now live in the Netanya area. Through song and dance, the choir tells the story of their people’s flight to Israel and their optimism for their new life there.
The event, the gala opening of the community-wide celebration of Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel Independence Day), will be held at Congregation Sinai at 7:30 p.m. It is sponsored by the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center. Other sponsors include the Jewish Community Foundation, MJF’s endowment development program; Mert and Dottie Rotter; Marty and Debra Katz; the Lappin Family Fund for Israel; the Jerome Weil Archarai Endowment; the Milwaukee Jewish Council for Community Relations; the Marcus Corporation and Congregation Sinai.
In observing the 10th anniversary of Operation Solomon, Stein said, “I think it’s so important to remember Operation Solomon at Passover time because it was an exodus and a story about people being redeemed. It’s important that people understand what we did and that the operation was an important activity for the Milwaukee community and for Jews all over the world. I often think how blessed I am to have been able to witness and participate in these experiences.”
Though he saw some newcomers kiss the ground or rub Israeli soil on themselves, most heartwarming he said was to see family reunions. “An ingathering of Jews — the world’s melting pot — was a real Jewish experience. Many of those who came during Operation Moses were reunited with family during Operation Solomon. It was incredible to watch.”
Patron tickets for the concert are $100, which includes two tickets, reserved seating and a complimentary CD; general admission is $14 and student admission is $10. To reserve tickets or for more information, call the federation, 390-5705. MORE STORIES
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