The Kahenatoch Beit Midrash is a place where the ancient tradition of the Beta Israel community meets the future generation. Here, young people learn, strengthen their faith, and continue the path of the Kessim — spiritual leaders who have dedicated their lives to preserving identity, faith, and community.
The Beit Midrash is the first initiative in Israel for training young Kessim.
Spiritual figures guiding the studies and preserving the tradition for the next generation.
With the Council of Spiritual Leaders (Kessim), the Beta Israel Heritage Center, and communities across the country.
Eighth generation of a glorious lineage of leaders and Kessim who led the Beta Israel community in Ethiopia.
The National Council of Ethiopian Jewish Kessim in Israel, together with the Kes Azaria Spiritual Center for the Heritage of Lika Kahenat Melke Azaria, is proud to launch the Beit Midrash project for training young Kessim. This is a unique and pioneering initiative aimed at building the next generation of spiritual leadership within the Ethiopian community in Israel.
The project, led by Kes Avihu Azaria, the son and successor of the late Lika Kahenat Kes Melke Azaria, alongside his fellow honorable Kessim, combines an ancient, millennia-old tradition with a modern and innovative educational vision. Kes Avihu, who was ordained as a Kahen by his father, holds a degree in education and is a recognized and influential leader on a national level.
The Beit Midrash is built on a solid foundation of knowledge, experience, and deep professional insight, formulated over the years of activity by the Ethiopian Jewish Kessim Council Association and the late Kes Azaria Spiritual Center.
Our goal is clear: to educate and train young spiritual leaders, Kessim of the new generation — who will preserve, deepen, and spread the secrets of the tradition, Halachic laws, and the customs of our ancestors, just as they were strictly preserved by the community's priests in Ethiopia for generations.
he training program of the Kahenatoch Beit Midrash is designed to nurture and train young people from the community for ordination as Kessim — the successors of the spiritual leaders of Beta Israel.
During the program, students learn the tradition of the Kessim, the history, and the culture of the community, alongside studies in Bible (Tanakh), Hebrew, identity, and leadership.
The program combines theoretical and experiential learning, a connection to the community, and the values of commitment, humility, and continuity.
For centuries, while the community lived in Ethiopia, the Kessim — the religious priests — were the pillars of spiritual leadership. They safeguarded the Torah, the tradition, and Jewish identity even during times of hardship, persecution, and isolation.
In times when there was no connection with the rest of the Jewish diaspora, the Kessim bore all spiritual responsibility on their shoulders: they taught, led, judged, conducted ceremonies, and instilled the values of faith and community. They were spiritual leaders, educators, and fathers of tradition — figures through whom faith was passed down from generation to generation.
One of the legends symbolizing their strength tells of those Kessim who chose to jump from a cliff rather than give up their faith. In the place where they fell, a spring burst forth — a symbol of life, healing, and renewal — which became a holy site for future generations. This spring became a symbol of self-sacrifice, steadfast faith, and an eternal connection to tradition.
Even today, in the Kahenatoch Beit Midrash, the spirit of the Kessim continues to beat. The young spiritual leadership being built here draws inspiration from this heritage — from their courage, humility, and commitment to the community.
You are welcome to contact us with any questions, for collaboration, or to request more information about the training program and the spiritual activities of the Beit Midrash.
עברית
English