Breaking Update
Training Program for Religious Services in Ethipian-Jewish Communities Inaugurated
Ethiopian-Jewish rabbis undergo intensive training in Netivot and Sderot, focusing on modern kosher technologies and spiritual leadership.
Jerusalem, 10 February, 2026 (TPS-IL) — As part of the annual training program of the Department of Religious Services for the Ethiopian Community, dozens of community rabbis held an in-depth seminar in Netivot and Sderot, small towns located west of Be’er Sheva. The seminar involved halachic minds, examining modern kosher technologies, and discussing the role of spiritual leadership in times of crisis.
The current seminar was attended by the top brass of the Ministry of Religious Services, including Senior Deputy Director General for Religious Services, CPA Michael Giovani, who closely monitored the professional and administrative aspects of the training day.
It opened at the Netivot Religious Council, where a professional panel was held with the participation of the Rabbi Pinchas Cohen, Shlita, the chairman of the council, Mr. Moshe Zarihan, the community rabbi in the city, Rabbi David Birsau, and the director of the kashrut department, Rabbi Yitzhak Boganim. During the meeting, a brainstorming session was held on issues of making religious services accessible to the community. Later, the rabbis toured the “Handmade Matzot” factory, where they delved into halachic discussions regarding mass and controlled production, with the aim of providing the rabbis with practical tools for implementing their mission.
