The story of Yona Bugale, the "Herzl" of Ethiopian Jewry, and his struggle to bring his people to Israel.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Humanities Building, Rm 135
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Born into a closed and isolated community in Ethiopia, far from the centers of the Jewish world, Yona Bugale was brought in his youth to Europe, where he discovered his common heritage with the Jewish people. From then on, his dream and life's work was to bring his people from Ethiopia to Israel, in order to prevent the possible destruction of Ethiopian Jewry.  He worked ceaselessly as a teacher and community leader, promoting connections with the State of Israel and with Jewish organizations. Yona immigrated to Israel in 1979, but did not live to see the realization of his dream.  He died just a few years before "Operation Solomon" in which 15,000 men, women and children were airlifted from Ethiopia to Israel.

"I Had A Dream" is based on rare archival material, including testimonies of family members, students  and others who knew Bugale, both in Ethiopia and Israel.  The film’s aim is to expose and preserve not only an extraordinary life story, but also to give expression to the complexity of the Ethiopian aliyah (immigration) and of their absorption in Israel.

Directed by: Tezeta Germay        Produced by: Micha Shagrir, Tapuz Communication Ltd

Running Time: 52 minutes            In Hebrew and Amharic, with English subtitles

Pay-per-space parking is available in UCLA Structure 2, near the corner of Hilgard and Westholme.

How to Park at UCLA

Cost: Free and open to the public

310-825-9646
Israel@international.ucla.edu

Sponsor(s): African Studies Center, Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for Israel Studies