Uri Ben Baruch
Uri Ben Baruch (, 1898 – December 21, 1984) was a Liqa Kahnet (High priest) and the main leader of the Ethiopian Jewish community for nearly 50 years, from the Italian occupation of Ethiopia and until his death. For many years Uri Ben Baruch was a dominant figure in the leadership of the Beta Israel community and was distinguished for his leadership and rhetorical abilities. Biography. Childhood and youth. Baruch was born in 1898 in the village Balnagab in northern Ethiopia to the prominent Liqa Kahnet Baruch Ahdnan who was the main spiritual leader of the Ethiopian Jews for  many years until his death. Baruch was the third son of 8 brothers and sisters. Three of Baruch's brothers studied religion with their father and from other priests. His father was considered to be the spiritual leader of the Beta Israel community and later became a close friend of Dr. Jacques Faitlovitch, who visited their village several times and discussed matters of religion with Kes Abba Baruch Ahdnan many times. As the Liqa Kahnat (High priest) in Ethiopia. When Baruch's father reached old age, various parties in the Beta Israel community began requesting that Baruch would be appointed  as a successor to his father, thus becoming the spiritual leader of the Beta Israel community. Baruch gently refused, claiming that he wasn't eligible since he was not the eldest son. After many convictions he eventually accepted the request, and was appointed as the new religious leader in a grand ceremony in the presence of 120 religious leaders and the general public. Baruch's father eventually died in 1936. Baruch was the main spiritual leader of the Ethiopian Jewish community for nearly 50 years. In 1966, Baruch took part in the establishment of the organization "Beta Israel's Congregation