Special Event: “Soul-Singing: An Artist Navigates Ethiopian Israeli Identity”

On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, Emory’s Tam Institute for Jewish Studies is excited to present “Soul-Singing: An Artist Navigates Ethiopian Israeli Identity,” featuring BAMAH Visiting Artist Orit Tashoma.  Born in Israel, Tashoma is a rapper, spoken word artist, and singer of Ethiopian descent. Simultaneously an insider and outsider, her talk will feature musical selections from her album and touch on themes of immigration, acculturation, and systemic racism.  This free, on-campus event will begin at 7:00pm and take place in White Hall 207.  Advance registration is requested, which you may complete here: tinyurl.com/tam-event.

The daughter of Ethiopian parents who moved to Israel in 1984 as part of Operation Moses, one of the first airlifts of Ethiopian Jews, Tashoma began writing at the age of sixteen.  Unapologetically authentic, her songs tell both her personal story as well as the broader story of a community that found its way to Israel but is still finding its way in Israeli society.  To that end, at times her criticism of Israeli society and government is pointed as she gives voice to the Ethiopian-Israeli community’s challenges when facing the systemic inequities built into Israeli society.

Tashoma has shared her stories and art at many high-profile events, including the Hullageb Festival in Jerusalem and InDnegev festival in Tel Aviv, among others.  One such performance caught the eye of BAMAH, an international organization that harnesses arts and culture from Israel to inspire and connect people of all backgrounds and identities. Through transformative, arts-driven experiences, BAMAH strives to facilitate honest conversations and authentic relationships that strengthen shared society in and between people from the US and Israel.  As part of this endeavor, the organization partnered with Tashoma to help bring her to the United States and Emory’s Tam Institute for Jewish Studies as a Visiting Artist.

“Orit is not only an extraordinary artist, she is also an exceptional educator who skillfully tells her story, the story of her community, and what it is to live, work, and create in Israel today,” BAMAH Founding Executive Director Flo Low reflects.  “We are excited for Emory's audiences to experience Orit's vibrant creativity, and hope that inspires them to follow her and her work, and stay connected to engage with future BAMAH Visiting Artists in and beyond Atlanta.”

Since beginning her stint as a Visiting Artist at the Tam Institute this semester, Tashoma has engaged with students and offered guest lectures in a number of undergraduate courses, including “Anthropology of the Jews,” “Israeli-Palestinian Literature,” and Hebrew language classes.  Her upcoming public event will blend storytelling with live performance, including five original songs composed in a unique style that combines her love of traditional Ethiopian music, hip-hop, and the Hebrew language.

Ultimately, Tashoma hopes attendees of next month’s event will take away “the understanding that it’s very important to create your own space.  And to take the time to create and to explore your identity, even if the world doesn’t give you that place.”

Space is limited for the November 12 “Soul-Singing: An Artist Navigates Ethiopian Israeli Identity” event, so be sure to register at tinyurl.com/tam-event before seats fill!

Published 10/28/24