Rescued From Slavery

Judie Oron knows the price of freedom. So does her daughter Wuditu: $111. That's the price Oron paid to free the 17-year-old Ethiopian Jew from a life of slavery and forced prostitution.

Journalist rescued Ethiopian girl from slavery
JOE BELANGER • The London Free Press

Judie Oron knows the price of freedom. So does her daughter Wuditu: $111.

That's the price Oron paid to free the 17-year-old Ethiopian Jew from slavery in 1992…

Oron took Wuditu into her family (not her real name since Oron continues to protect her identity) and kept her story secret to shield her from publicity. But three years ago, Wuditu asked Oron to write about her journey from slavery to draw attention to the problem of child slavery in Ethiopia.

The result was the award-winning book for children and teenagers, Cry of the Giraffe (Annick Press Ltd)…

The story begins when Oron was working as a journalist at The Jerusalem Post…Oron was asked by an Israeli Embassy worker in Ethiopia to look after a young girl, Lewteh, who had been separated from her family. The child's father's health was failing and he asked Oron to raise the girl, which she did. The father had paid another man to go back to Ethiopia and search for another lost daughter. The man returned and said she was dead.

"For two years, Lewteh never asked about…Wuditu,” Oron recalled.

"Then one night I found her crying in her room, writing a letter to her allegedly dead sister and she said she didn't believe the man who said her sister was dead was really telling the truth. She said, 'I can still feel my sister breathing.'"

So Oron returned to Ethiopia and eventually found Wuditu [,who was being held as a slave], narrowly escaping a mob that had just discovered Wuditu was a Jew and was going to harm her.…

Wuditu was sent back to Ethiopia because the conditions in the Sudanese refugee camps were horrific, and the rescue promised Ethiopian Jews by the Israeli agents who had encouraged them to flee to Sudan was nonexistent. (It would eventually take heavy US involvement and lots of US pressure on the government of Yitzhak Shamir to make the airlift happen.) Her parents were sick and feared dying and abandoning their children in the fetid, dangerous refugee camps.

Wuditu made it back to Ethiopia where she was hired as an indentured servant and held as a slave for more than two years. She was also forced to work as a prostitute until  Oron found Wuditu and bought her freedom.

 

Comments

[Lubavitchers are Christians]

Who was holding her as a sex slave? Haredim or other blacks?

[Clay Zion]

So I guess the moral of this article is:

"yes, Wuditu WAS forced to work as a prostitute..but at least she didnt become Chabad or Haredi"

I knew there was a connection here somewhere...Thanks Shmarya!

[Yochanan Lavie]

I don't know how anyone can be indifferent to the suffering of this girl. Even if you don't think the Beta Israel are Jewish (despite what Moshe Feinstein and Ovadia Yosef said), this is a fellow human being.

[Bob Guthrie]

Posted by: Clay Zion
"So I guess the moral of this article is:

"yes, Wuditu WAS forced to work as a prostitute..but at least she didnt become Chabad or Haredi"

I knew there was a connection here somewhere...Thanks Shmarya!."

You know, every time I see an article involving Black Ethiopians, US black Americans or any kind of dark skinned person, the extremist racist branch of the Charedim just ooze out and barf all over the thread on command (add bonus "misogynistic" for for the writer and victim being Women).

"A dire story involving the plight of a teenage Israeli Ethiopian girl, and the her rescue thanks to courageous Israeli Woman?. F*** Them!. Let's us automatically S*hit all over the Shmarya's forum because there is Blacks involved and he has brought to light the criminal side of the extremist Charedim, even though we are not mentioned in this article!."

Do go on, chaps. Never mind the damage you guys incur with such written responses. But, eh, future fallout is nothing when it comes to instant hate gratification, n'est–ce pas?. =)

[Bob Guthrie]

Posted by: Lubavitchers are Christians
"Who was holding her as a sex slave? Haredim or other blacks?."

Article comprehension 101. Example number one:

"Wuditu made it back to ETHIOPIA where she was hired as an indentured servant and held as a slave for more than two years. She was also forced to work as a prostitute."

Question: What would be the type of person in Ethiopia that would prostitute her?. Quiz portion:

*(A) A Male Chardim in Hasidic garb [ ].
*(B) A Male Ethiopian [ ].

If you answered (A), please list all the Hasidic communities, settlements or neighborhoods located in Ethiopia where this event may have occurred.

*Sigh* Sometimes, LaC,... you... just... (Oi).

[Bob Guthrie]

Posted by: Yochanan Lavie
"This is a fellow human being."

Yochanan, on this scenario, you are currently dealing with extremist racist Charedim or supporters.

Black. Ethiopian. Female. These does not correlate to this fringe individuals as either "fellow" and/or "human".

[Mikal W. Grass]

A nice story likes this always brings out the haters and morons. Amazing.

[Marvin]

Question: What would be the type of person in Ethiopia that would prostitute her?. Quiz portion:

*(A) A Male Chardim in Hasidic garb [ ].
*(B) A Male Ethiopian [ ].
(C) The rabbi of the local Chabad house [ ].

Answer" "C" Who else?

[BibleBeltJew]

Mr. Guthrie: You are long-winded, insufferable, rude, caustic, and unwelcome here except by Reb Shmarya's sycophants (Jancsi, etc.). And I find a lapsed (sic) Roman Catholic's use of lashon ha'kodesh to berate datai Yehudeem on a site meant to expose the perceived failings within Orthodox Judaism unacceptable. Clean up the perversions, sexism, buggery, thievery, and Jew-hatred within the Church and then get back to us. This is well beyond your daled amos, Sir.

[Dovid]

So BibleBeltJew, with which part of Bob Guthrie's postings here do you disagree? Or is this just an ad hominem attack pure and simple?

[dh]

Yikes, I swear I was just thinking that I'd like to see here a debate between BBJ and Bob Guthrie as I think of them both as being roaring voices from outside NY. Was wondering what Bob's version of Roll Tide would be.

I'm probably wrong but as to BBJ's aversion to Bob's use of Jewish concepts in an authoritative and studied manner, I hearken back to Jerry Seinfeld and his dentist.

[BibleBeltJew]

dh: Not familiar with the Seinfeld episode - sorry. Reb Dovid: Was I not clear? I eschew any and all 'advice' in matters of L'meudei Kodesh and Daas Torah generously offered from a Ratzinger Chusid (y'mach sh'mo). G-d willing, I will check in on Friday @ or around noon.

[Dovid]

I have no idea about Bob Guthrie's beliefs or religion, nor yours.

Speaking of loshon hakodesh, what is "L'meudei Kodesh?"

[Yochanan Lavie]

BBJ is offended that Bob is not Jewish, but is not offended by racism and sexual exploitation of innocent girls.

[anchell]

The endentured enslavement of the young and defenseless in Africa is deplorable. If Africa is to someday be free of the bondage that it is now ensnared by, it must rid itself of the mindset of being a disposable commodity. When one African is diminished by another all Africans suffer.

[Bob Guthrie]

@BibleBeltJew

My Stars!, As I live and breathe!. BibleBeltJew, the old Gentleman of the great state of Alabammy from them Southern States of the United States of America!. That has been In a coon's age while we were a larking since times past!.

I do recall, my Dear Sir, that the first time we crossed paths came to be when you insulted a person of the Female Israeli genre, Jeanette Friedman, critical of the shenanigans of certain Religious zealots, of being old and bitter. How uncouth!.

But, I do pray, are you in high cotton now?. Have understanding been dispensed by your personal Rebbeh in regards of common sense and basic Humanity?.

"Mr. Guthrie: You are long-winded, insufferable, rude, caustic, and unwelcome here except by Reb Shmarya's sycophants (Jancsi, etc.)."

Alas, I fear that is not the case. But is your disregard firmly entrenched?.

"I find a lapsed (sic) Roman Catholic's use of lashon ha'kodesh to berate datai Yehudeem on a site meant to expose the perceived failings within Orthodox Judaism unacceptable."

Ah. I'm surprised!. This paragraph denotes a civil opinionated response!. All though I have not heard or read anywhere but in personal opinion, that gentiles could not quote from the לשון הקודש‎ in the Torah or Talmud, or they/we were prohibited from chastising the criminal elements of the Yhudim.

Thought I must point out that the site is, mostly, about the "the provable or proven failings within Ultra-Orthodox Judaism", not "the perceived failings within Orthodox Judaism" (as stated prior, with exceptions).

Is this new seemingly new civil opinionated sustainable?.

"I eschew any and all 'advice' in matters of L'meudei Kodesh and Daas Torah generously offered from a Ratzinger Chusid (y'mach sh'mo)."

*Sigh* As I feared, that is not to be. Impressive, I been laid upon what is considered the strongest curse in Judaism!. I dare say, you must be really crossed with my persona, General.

In opposite form to your blind devotion to the extremist Charedim Rabbinate, I do not dance to the tune of Pope Benedict XVI (I follow only one, G-d), for though leader of the Catholic Church, he has had many failings, such as not going farther enough in regards to Sexual Abuse within the Catholic Church (specially the US), the refusal to discuss the cessation of Celibacy for the Priesthood (it's working just dandy with the Eastern Catholic Churches, who are under the jurisdiction of the Vatican), his (well, all modern Popes) continual refusal to appoint Women to any part of the Catholic clergy (yes, the appointment of Bishop Gerhard Ludwig Mueller to deal with this matter was such a רעיון טוב...), and such other progressive subjects.

How goes with you and the official and unofficial dictates of the more extremist Chassidic Rebbes cowering under the banner of Haredi Judaism? (yes, I reckon you know all the ones we are talking about, my Dear Sir, or you may peruse the archival pages of this site for a refresher course. There be aplenty).

So, I'm anguished to see, General, that you are still a bowed up, ball-less, religious extremist, demeaning, clueless, hateful, no thought provoking, insensitive, Haredi pedophile/criminal lover, misogynistic, other people and religions hating , not mind of your own, clueless automata Charedi.

And a yaller dog for not chastising thy fellow zealot for bringing improper and impolite banter to a thread regarding the rescue of a Jewish Female Black Slave by a brave, Judea born, Female Israeli!.

"Clean up the perversions, sexism, buggery, thievery, and Jew-hatred within the Church and then get back to us."

That, Sir, is a task I'm currently doing at hand in two outside forums censorious of the misdeeds of extremist Christian Fundamentalists, with written posts exact as the one I am responding with in a forum likewise censorious of the misdeeds (in this case) of extremist Charedim.

No law, religious or secular, has been passed down that forbids a person of certain religion to express any and all opinions in another forum on religious matters not related to their own belief.

"This is well beyond your daled amos, Sir."

I daresay nay to you, Sir, for it's up to G-d to decide thus, not a man of flesh and blood with his own personal opinion.

"G-d willing, I will check in on Friday @ or around noon."

In that case, Sir, here is my card. I will see you in the field at such appointed time. Good day to you, my Dear Chap.

[Bob Guthrie]

@BibleBeltJew

Hey, bud. did you also find my posted response to you also "long-winded", causing your two remaining neurons to misfire?. Here is simpler one:

"Crimino ChAreDim BAD!".

Still too many words?, neuropathic wave function collapse imminent?. Let's see:

"DURH!".

Oh dear, too many syllables?, mental breach?, ejection of gray matter core in progress?. No worries:

(*)

Sorry, It seems I cannot use HTML to embed the sound of a very loud, disapproving octave, bubbeh. =)

[Bob Guthrie]

Posted by: Dovid
"what is "L'meudei Kodesh?"."

Basic Jewish Torah teachings for Jewish boys. Introduction to Judaism, Torah and the Talmud, how to Daven, how to perform properly the Minyan, etc...

Same in principle to Catechism for Catholic children.

[dh]

Bob, BBJ..... you guys have got to get the Seinfeld episode with his dentist. And hold off on the duel. The both of you would trip and shoot yourselves in the foot.

[Bob Guthrie]

Posted by: dh
"The both of you would trip and shoot yourselves in the foot."

How dare you, Sah!. I have marksman medals that say otherwise! (no, really, I do).

I would challenge you to a duel were you stand,... but I'm afraid my little duel booklet is just dreadfully full, with such chaps as BBJ and the Fundie gentlemen I am currently engaged post wise.

Nevertheless, I challenge you to challenge me to watch this "Seinfield" person and his dental surgeon's tête à tête on YouTube!. Very well, I Accept!.

Good day to you, Sah!.

[Bob Guthrie]

"Rescued From Slavery."

"Judie Oron knows the price of freedom. So does her daughter Wuditu: $111. That's the price Oron paid to free the 17-year-old Ethiopian Jew from a life of slavery and forced prostitution."

In all seriousness, just a reminder to BBJ and his ilk that this is the powerful, actual history this thread is really all about.

[Bob Guthrie]

Posted by: dh
"I'm probably wrong but as to BBJ's aversion to Bob's use of Jewish concepts in an authoritative and studied manner, I hearken back to Jerry Seinfeld and his dentist."

"Don't you see!. He is trying to corner the logical, rational explanation of Religion!. He's already authoritative and knowledgeable on the concepts of Catholicism and Judaism!. If Bob's learns Islamic religious concepts, he will be unstoppable!".

Hey, dh!, did I ever told you the one about the President of Iran and Hillary Clinton on a lifeboat?,... Ah, it's a good one, أعز الأخ يهودية!.

[BibleBeltJew]

BG: Thanks for the kind (though somewhat bizarre) response(s), and for proving my point. I find your comments tortuous/verbose, but others may disagree, notably Rev. Angel Armando Perez, the parish priest at St. Luke Catholic Church in Woodburn. Back on Sunday or Monday. Reb Shmarya, dh, et al: Shabbat Shalom v'Chodesh Tov.

[Bob Guthrie]

Posted by: BibleBeltJew
"(nothing)."

Well, that's was kind of sad and anti-climatic. Definitely not Fiery Fightning Fundie stock. More like frumpy frail frumie leftover.

Oh, well.

[dh]

Bob @ 6:30

I'm pleased as punch that the brig is letting you guys have access to electronics these days!

Did I ever tell you the one about Pat Nixon and Kissinger in the snow?

Have a Roll Tide Shabbat.

[Bob Guthrie]

@dh
Thanks for the Seinfield suggestion, missed that episode. =D

Have a Roll Tide Shabbat.

Like wise, see you around next week. =) Wise words: Never Roll Tide on a Catholic Church, no matter how rousing the Padre's speech is. It not only causes the rest of flock to really look down on us, but those choir boys can really do some damage to your shins with those Paschal candles.

The Keg didn't help either.