Beta Israel as a Part of the Jewish Religion
The Beta Israel were isolated from the rest of world Jewry. In 1904, Jacques Faitlovitch from France spent 10 months among the Beta Israel studying their beliefs and customs. In 1908, due in large part to the advocacy of Faitlovitch, the chief rabbis of 45 countries made a joint statement declaring the recognition of the Beta Israel as Jewish. Professor Faitlovitch advocated for the Beta Israel until his death in 1955.
