This evening brings the traditions and culture of Ethiopian Jewish life to the Skirball with a celebration of Sigd, an ancient Ethiopian Jewish holiday of renewal and communal gathering observed 50 days after Yom Kippur. 

4:00 pm 
Begin with a communal walk around the Skirball grounds inspired by Sigd’s tradition of pilgrimage and ascent. Led by Ethiopian Jewish guides Beejhy Barhany and Semu Kebede, reflect together on the holiday’s themes of renewal, connection, and collective responsibility, culminating in a ritual and ceremony overlooking the surrounding landscape. 

5:00 pm 
Continue with a celebratory evening hosted by cookbook author and restaurateur Beejhy Barhany and Being Jewish podcast host Jonah Platt. Savor a traditional Ethiopian meal, experience a coffee ceremony with Jebena Joy Cafe, and enjoy live Ethiopian folk and jazz music from Anbessa Orchestra. 

The evening culminates in a special conversation with Jonah exploring the traditions, stories, and flavors of Ethiopian Jewish life, to be broadcast on Being Jewish, followed by a book signing with Beejhy of her acclaimed cookbook Gursha, named one of The New York Times’ best cookbooks of 2025.

Beejhy Barhany is a cultural and community icon. Born in Ethiopia, raised in Israel, and currently living in New York City, she is the founder of the BINA Cultural Foundation and the owner of Tsion Café, a renowned Ethiopian-Israeli restaurant. She is the author of Gursha: Timeless Recipes for Modern Kitchens, a cookbook celebrating the timeless recipes and rich history of Ethiopian Jewry. Beejhy is a frequent speaker and cooking teacher amongst many different communities. She is regularly featured in media outlets across Israel and the US including Today, The New York Times, Haaretz magazine, Jewish Week, and many more.

Jonah Platt is one of America's most trusted voices on modern Jewish identity, culture, and current events. He hosts Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, the world's #1 Jewish podcast, where he explores Jewish life through deeply candid conversations with prominent Jews and allies like Mayim Bialik, Scooter Braun, Howie Mandel, Cindy Crawford, Van Jones, and Jason Alexander. An accomplished entertainer, Jonah has starred in acclaimed projects from Broadway (Wicked) to Hollywood (Being the Ricardos), and is co-writing the musical adaptation of The Giver. He was named the inaugural Jewish American Heritage Month Honoree by the California Jewish Legislative Caucus, received California’s inaugural Community Excellence Award for Combating Antisemitism, Holocaust Museum LA’s inaugural Roz & Abner Goldstine Advocacy Award, and the 2025 American Friends of ELEM LifeSaver Award. He is the editor-at-large of ORA Magazine, serves as Educational Advisor for the Jewish Broadway Alliance, and is currently pursuing his Master's in Antisemitism Studies at Gratz.

Sigd is an ancient Ethiopian Jewish holiday of prayer, renewal, and communal gathering, observed 50 days after Yom Kippur. Traditionally, Ethiopian Jews gathered and ascended a mountain together for prayer, fasting, and the reading of sacred texts, renewing their covenant with God and expressing their longing for Jerusalem. Today, Sigd continues to celebrate community, Jewish unity, and connection to Jerusalem.