This week, Ethiopian Jews around the world celebrated the holiday of Sigd, a day of spiritual reflection, renewal, and longing for Israel. Observed on the 29th of the Hebrew month of Cheshvan, Sigd commemorates the accepting of the Torah and a deep desire to return to Jerusalem for the Ethiopian Jewish community.
Here at Federation, we were honored to celebrate this special holiday with one of our very own Rishonim, Agam Tarakai, who shared her family’s incredible story, her favorite Sigd traditions, and treated us to some delicious Ethiopian food! After the celebration, we sat down with Agam to dig deeper into the meaning of Sigd and what it’s like celebrating so far from home.
How is Sigd typically celebrated in Israel? What traditions stand out?
For me, Sigd is almost like Yom Kippur. It’s a day of spiritual cleansing and renewal—a fresh start. My grandparents always fasted on Sigd. Historically, it’s an ancient holiday, but today many Ethiopian Jews also observe it as a memorial day, celebrating their return to Israel.
After the fast, we break it with traditional Ethiopian dishes like dinich (potatoes and carrots), gomen (greens, though I used chard since gomen isn’t available here), misir (lentils), and kek wot (split peas). My favorite is gomen! My grandparents would dress in traditional thin white cotton headwraps and garments on Sigd.
In Israel, many people travel to Jerusalem to pray, dance, and celebrate as a community.
How did your parents make it to Israel?
My mother’s family was fortunate to catch a plane from South Africa. They escaped in the middle of the night, leaving behind everything—selling their homes, land, and possessions to non-Jews.
My father’s journey was much harder. He wasn’t much older than me, but he walked through Sudan and Egypt on foot, risking his life to reach Israel. It was incredibly dangerous, but he made it.
What was life like for your parents in Ethiopia?
My mom’s family lived in a community that was deeply affected by the Holocaust. During the Italian annexation of Ethiopia, the military raided their village. They killed many Jews, including my great-grandfather. The entire village was destroyed.
Ethiopian Jews were always deeply Zionist. They longed for Israel and believed the Temple still stood in Jerusalem. When they arrived in Israel and learned the Temple had been destroyed thousands of years ago, it was a huge shock.
What do you miss most about Sigd in Israel?
The food, of course—but also the time I spent with my mother. We don’t go out much together. Our quality time is at home in the kitchen. My mother wakes up early every Friday morning to cook for Shabbat, and I always sit on a chair we have in the kitchen, so I can be with her while she cooks. It’s our quiet time to talk about anything and everything.
This year, cooking for Sigd made me so homesick. I tasted the food, and it tasted exactly like my mother’s. It made me realize how much I miss those moments with her.
How are you celebrating Sigd in the U.S.?
Tonight, I’m going to an Ethiopian restaurant I’ve been wanting to try! I also spoke about Sigd at a local school. Many people here don’t know about the holiday, and I’d love to change that.
What’s it been like being in New Jersey this year?
It’s just like the movies! When I first saw Kushner, it felt like a scene out of every American high school movie I’ve ever watched.
What was it like growing up in Ofakim?
There wasn’t a big Ethiopian community in Ofakim, and I was the only Ethiopian girl in my class. Once, a classmate asked if I was Jewish because of how I look. I explained that Jews come from all over the world—Morocco, Tunisia, India, Ethiopia, everywhere. That was the only time someone questioned it.
After that, I became the “fun” one because I always brought the best food to school. Everyone loved it!
How has life been since October 7?
Ofakim is still recovering. My best friend’s brother, Ariel Bilya, was murdered while saving 10 people, including a baby, from his house. He helped everyone escape to the roof before he was killed.
It’s been devastating, but we’re trying to get back to life.
What do you hope to do after your time as a Rishona?
I want to help kids. Maybe as a doctor, psychologist, or therapist—I haven’t decided yet, but I know I want to make a difference in their lives.
To learn more about how our Rishonim are celebrating holidays in Greater MetroWest NJ, please read “Get into the Holiday Spirit with the Rishonim.”