Last week we shared the story of Ethiopian Israeli Oshra Friedman, who made aliyah with Operation Moses at the age of seven. Oshra was in town to share her story with the women of El Caballero Country Club at their annual Playday in support of our Federation. We sat down with her for a brief interview.
JFed: What was your experience living in Ethiopia? Do you think the media portrays reality?
Oshra: People assume everyone is starving in Ethiopia. My family had everything we needed. Operation Moses and Operation Solomon were operations of Zionism, not of suffering. The media doesn’t always deliver real life.
JFed: You say that you now identify yourself as Jewish first. What, in your opinion, are the most important Jewish values that you try to live by and teach your children?
Oshra: It’s not just about practicing Judaism or keeping kosher or Shabbat. To me it’s about being kind, helping others and accepting everyone without changing them. We do practice Shabbat and keep Kosher, but we also drive on Shabbat. I am religious in my own way.
JFed: At just four years old, you took on some very important jobs — bringing food and water to your family in the fields and watching your nephews. How did your childhood differ from your children’s?
Oshra: My husband and I raised our children to be independent. They learned to do the dishes and started to cook when they were six years old. They do their own laundry. We provide them with what they need, but we don’t allow them to be spoiled. We are so proud of our children. They have strong identities, strong opinions, but they respect each other.
JFed: What do you think your life would be like if you’d never met Ada Miller?
Oshra: I’m sure that I would be lost and wouldn’t be who I am today. She made me whole and believed in me. She told me I could achieve anything I wanted. She says she’s so proud of me all the time and it means a lot. I think she gave me a new life. She told me that talking is not enough; doing is better. I volunteer today because of her. She taught me how to be a respectable woman and appreciate myself. I call her Mama Ada.
JFed: What do you love about Israel?
Oshra: I was raised in Israel. I am a part of the culture. I served in the army. I am proud to be Israeli. Why would I move? This is what I know and where I want to be. I have a little job to do to make Israeli society better and when I finish, I will be proud.
JFed: You have so much to be proud of now through your work with the Rashi Foundation. How does it feel knowing you’ve touched thousands of lives?
Oshra: It’s amazing. I always say to the people we help, “Don’t thank us—you did the job, we just gave you a small donation.” We change their lives, their families’ lives and society. We give them money to start so they can finish it, sit down, study and graduate, get a better job, more money and be successful in society. But I can’t sleep when I see something bothering me and we aren’t doing anything about it. I don’t believe in creating programs that help only Ethiopians. It should be for everyone. I think we need to create something that works for the entire Israeli society.
