What does it take to leave everything behind on foot, carried by nothing but faith and a dream of Jerusalem, and then spend a lifetime building bridges between Jews around the world?
As a young child, Pnina Agenyahu walked with her family from Ethiopia toward Israel, driven by Zionism and a faith that never wavered. Today she connects Jewish communities on every continent. On this intimate evening, she’ll share her story in her own words: the courage it took to begin, the identity she carried with her as a Black Jew, and how that identity became a source of strength and a bridge to others.
Through her journey, you’ll get a firsthand look at the rich diversity of Jewish life around the world and discover what unites us across our differences. You’ll take away lessons in resilience and faith that speak to your own challenges, and see how embracing who you are can open doors and build connections instead of setting you apart.
Come be inspired, ask your questions, and leave with practical ways to build real connections across communities, cultures, and traditions as we shape our shared future as one Jewish people.
As a young child, Pnina Agenyahu walked with her family from Ethiopia toward Israel, driven by Zionism and a faith that never wavered. Today she connects Jewish communities on every continent. On this intimate evening, she’ll share her story in her own words: the courage it took to begin, the identity she carried with her as a Black Jew, and how that identity became a source of strength and a bridge to others.
Through her journey, you’ll get a firsthand look at the rich diversity of Jewish life around the world and discover what unites us across our differences. You’ll take away lessons in resilience and faith that speak to your own challenges, and see how embracing who you are can open doors and build connections instead of setting you apart.
Come be inspired, ask your questions, and leave with practical ways to build real connections across communities, cultures, and traditions as we shape our shared future as one Jewish people.
From Ethiopia to the Global Stage: A Journey of Faith, Leadership, and Jewish Unity with Pnina Agenyahu
Co-Chair: John Eaves
Wednesday | January 20, 2027 | $18
7:30–9:00 PM (Doors open at 7:00 PM)
The Dupree Conference and Education Center
Wednesday | January 20, 2027 | $18
7:30–9:00 PM (Doors open at 7:00 PM)
The Dupree Conference and Education Center
Pnina Agenyahu is the Director of Global Jewish Connections at The Jewish Agency for Israel. In earlier roles at the Agency, she led Partnership2Gether and served as the senior shlicha to the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington from 2013 to 2017. She previously directed the Hillel Center at Tel Aviv University.
A leading voice for the Ethiopian-Israeli community, Pnina helped champion the effort to make Sigd, the Ethiopian Jewish holiday, an Israeli national holiday. She was named one of Globes magazine’s 50 most influential women in Israel (2023) and received Hillel International’s Richard M. Joel Exemplar of Excellence Award. In 2024, the Partnership2Gether Global Network she leads received the Jerusalem Unity Prize for connecting 27 Gaza-border communities with Jewish communities worldwide.
Pnina holds an MA in Political and Public Leadership from Tel Aviv University and is a graduate of the Mandel Program. She is a mother of three and lives in Modi’in.
A leading voice for the Ethiopian-Israeli community, Pnina helped champion the effort to make Sigd, the Ethiopian Jewish holiday, an Israeli national holiday. She was named one of Globes magazine’s 50 most influential women in Israel (2023) and received Hillel International’s Richard M. Joel Exemplar of Excellence Award. In 2024, the Partnership2Gether Global Network she leads received the Jerusalem Unity Prize for connecting 27 Gaza-border communities with Jewish communities worldwide.
Pnina holds an MA in Political and Public Leadership from Tel Aviv University and is a graduate of the Mandel Program. She is a mother of three and lives in Modi’in.
