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Beta Israel
(2,030 words)

The existence of the Ethiopian Jews, who called themselves Beta Israel (House of Israel), was almost unknown in the West until the 18th century. After reports from European travelers, an intense debate got underway in the early 19th century as to whether the members of this group could be recognized as “true” Jews. Eventually, European Protestants and Jews competed with one another in their respective goals of missi…

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James A. Quirin, Nashville, “Beta Israel”, in: Encyclopedia of Jewish History and Culture Online, Original German Language Edition: Enzyklopädie Jüdischer Geschichte und Kultur. Im Auftrag der Sächsischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Leipzig herausgegeben von Dan Diner. © J.B. Metzler, Stuttgart/Springer-Verlag GmbH Deutschland 2011–2017. Consulted online on 25 September 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2468-8894_ejhc_COM_0089>
First published online: 2017
First print edition: 20170409



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