Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places: Hundreds of 'Lost Tribe' Bnei Menashe Jews Make Aliyah from India

Hundreds of Indian Jews flew into Ben-Gurion Airport to make aliyah this week, as Israeli ministers promised to help the rest of the Bnei Menashe community emigrate shortly.

Following a special government edict, 252 new olim from northeast India made Israel their new home on Tuesday in an operation supported by Israel’s Minister of Aliyah and Integration Pnina Tameno-Shete. 

As reported in The Times of Israel,

The relocation was coordinated over many months between the ministry and the Shavei Israel organisation, whose founder Michael Freund was delighted.

“The aliyah of the lost tribe of Bnei Menashe after 2,700 years of exile is itself a modern-day Chanukah miracle,” he said.

“The story of this unique community that maintained its connection to the Jewish people and the land of Israel down through the generations is powerful and inspiring. I hope to see all the remaining Bnei Menashe make aliyah soon.”

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Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places: The Kuki People of India - One of the Lost Tribes?

In northeastern India, a small ethnic group claims to be one of the lost tribes of Israel. 

The fervor of the Kuki people has persuaded the Chief Rabbi of Israel to approve their immigration to the Promised Land. 

Kuki men are traditionally fighters, so once in Israel most of them become soldiers, while their wives try to adjust to their new lives in the settlements.

Reporters from France 24 TV traveled to the valleys of West Bengal, where India meets Bangladesh and Burma, home of the mysterious Kuki tribe. These Asian Jews say they were forced into exile in this remote valley almost 27 centuries ago. Today, they practice an archaic Judaism and claim to be one of the lost tribes of Israel referred to in the Old Testament, a little like the Ethiopian Falashas.

Tensions have grown in recent years with the Indian and Burmese governments and for the Kuki people, the lure of a better future in Israel is stronger than ever. In recent years, some of them have been able to emigrate to Israel and make Aliyah. 

The men, who are traditionally fierce fighters, often join the Israeli army, while their families find a new home in the occupied West Bank settlements. France 24 TV correspondents went to meet some of those who have left everything behind for a new life in the Promised Land.

Here is a video report of what they found.

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Unexpected Traces in Jewish Places: Five Women from Ancient Chinese Jewish Community make Aliyah

This week five women from the ancient Chinese Jewish community of Kaifeng made aliyah to Israel, aided by the Shavei Yisrael organization.

Michael Freund, Founder and Chairman of Shavei Yisrael calls this Jewish history in the making. The Jewish community in Kaifeng has existed since the 7th or 8th century. Today there are about 1,000 residents of Kaifeng who are identifiable as descendants of the Jewish community via family trees. These new immigrants are among a growing number of young people who are looking to return to their Jewish roots.

They are descendants of Sephardic Jews from Iraq or Persia who traveled along the silk route and settled in the city of Kaifeng which at the time was one of the imperial capitals of China.

Their next step is studying at a religious womens' seminary preparing to undergo formal conversion by Israel's Chief Rabbinate.

Watch as they describe their emotional landing in Israel, say the Shehecheyanu blessing, sing Hatikvah in Chinese, and pray at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

Enjoy!

(A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.)