Thousands of Jews of Ethiopian descent gathered at Jerusalem’s Sherover Promenade on Thursday to celebrate the community’s ancient Sigd holiday, joined by Israeli government officials and public figures.

The celebration, held annually on the 29th of the month of Cheshvan (50 days after Yom Kippur), saw thousands flock to the promenade in the Armon Hanatziv/East Talpiot neighborhood—which overlooks the Temple Mount from the south—as leaders led prayers recalling God’s revelation at Mount Sinai and his covenant with the Jewish people.

Former Hamas hostage Avera Mengistu, who was freed in February after 10 years and five months in the Gaza Strip, attended Sigd prayers in Jerusalem for the first time on Thursday. During the ceremony, Mengistu received a blessing from the kessim , or spirit

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