My dear friends,
a story is more than just a bunch of words,
or events and places.
A good story
directly affects
our perception of the present,
and significantly shapes
our future as well.
It creates a bridge
and reduces the gap between different generations.
Your initiative,
in which you document memories from Ethiopia,
strengthens the bond between the younger generation
and the older generation,
and between Jews throughout the world
for whom this may be their first encounter
with the unique history
of the Jews of Ethiopia.
Unfortunately,
only in recent years have we, as a society and a state,
understood the extent to which the stories
and the memories of Jews from Ethiopia
are an important and integral part
of the story of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.
We have not always succeeded in including all groups.
We did not always listen to those who spoke in a language
that was different than ours,
that had different customs
or a different skin color.
I know we still have a long way to go
and I am aware of the many unfortunate difficulties
that many of you have to face.
But precisely because of this,
and despite all of this,
I am so gladdened
by this project and its launch.
My dear friends,
please continue to share with us
your stories and childhood memories,
to introduce us to the heritage
of the Jews of Ethiopia
and to teach us more and more about the Jewish people.
Israeli society and the State of Israel
as we know it today
would not have achieved
all that it has thus far
without you.
Together, we will continue
to build a Jewish home here, an Israeli home,
a democratic home.
Together, together, we will renew
Israeli hope.
My dear friends, may you be blessed.