The Gidon Association for Ethiopian Jews in Hadera was established in 1992 by a group of young Ethiopian activists in Hadera in response to the need they perceived for programs run by Ethiopians for Ethiopians.

Origin of the Name

Beta Israel, the Jews of Ethiopia, struggled for many years to retain their independence in the face of persecution.  The heroic Gidon dynasty were the leaders of Beta Israel.

From the year 1270 the Beta Israel was ruled by the Solomonic dynasty - seven of its leaders were named Gidon.  This spelled the beginning of a series of rebellions against the Emperor’s rule.

Beta Israel’s last and most famous rebellion was during the reign of the Christian king Susneyos .   Gidon formed an army to defend the Jews against the aggression of Susneyos who decreed that all the Jews living in the area between the Semyan Mountains in the north and Lake Tana in the south should be put to death.  Many Jews, including Gidon, were killed in an enormous massacre.  The Jewish resistance was crushed and the Jews were dispersed over more than over 400 villages in 15 districts, ending the period of independence and relative self-rule which the Jews of Ethiopia had enjoyed for many years.

Even in times of trouble, the Beta Israel continued to preserve their Jewish traditions in their villages and to resist efforts to impose Christianity upon them.