JERUSALEM — Jewish American activists are in Ethiopia to escort remnants of one of the oldest communities in the Jewish Diaspora to Israel, organizers said Wednesday.

Tens of thousands of Ethiopian Jews were brought to Israel in clandestine operations starting more than three decades ago. Jews are granted automatic citizenship in Israel according to its “Law of Return.”

Thousands of descendants of Ethiopian Jews who were forced to convert to Christianity in the 19th century, known as the Falash Mura, were left behind. The quasi-governmental Jewish Agency, with backing from American Jewry, has been working to bring the remnants of the community to Israel.

Activists from the American United Jewish Appeal were in Ethiopia this week to prepare a group of 70 Falash Mura for the journey.

“It was moving to see...the excitement on their faces as they prepare to leave for Israel,” said Marty Keltz, 48, a doctor from New York who is on the mission with his 17-year-old daughter Sarah. (He sounds just like a wide eyed clueless gentile lefty. I love it. I wonder what would happen if he found his 17 year old daughter in bed with one of them?)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/american-jewish-groups-in-ethiopia-to-help-remnants-of-community-move-to-israel/2012/03/07/gIQAP0DLxR_story.html?wprss=rss_africa