As a child immigrant from rural Ethiopia, Mehereta Baruch Ron could never have imagined she would one day become deputy mayor of Israel's largest city, the international metropolitan Tel Aviv. In this riveting conversation with Eylon Levy, she shares her powerful story of perseverance, identity, and faith, recounting her community's ancient connection to Jerusalem, the harrowing journey through Sudan, and the profound cultural shock upon arriving in Israel. We also explore the unique form of Judaism practiced in Ethiopia, its biblical roots, and the challenges faced by Ethiopian Jews both in Ethiopia and in Israel. This conversation sheds light on the complexities of identity, belonging, and the misconceptions surrounding Israel in the global discourse.