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Indian Jews

Tourists visit the main hall adorned with 19th-century Belgian crystal chandeliers and colorful glass lanterns at the 458-year-old Paradesi Synagogue in the historic Jew Town neighborhood of Kochi, India, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
August 7, 2026, 8:00 pm
After centuries in India, the last Cochin Jews try to keep their history alive
‘Every Jew has a dream that his last breath should be in Israel,’ a Kochi resident says. ‘I believe my last breath should be inside this synagogue’
By DEEPA BHARATH
A member of the Bnei Menashe celebrates as she arrives at Ben Gurion Airport on April 23, 2026, part of a group of new immigrants from the community in India. (Jack Guez/AFP)
April 24, 2026, 4:26 am
Group of over 250 Bnei Menashe immigrants from India lands in Israel
Newcomers are first members of the community to immigrate since government decision last year to bring around 4,600 of them to the country
By Charlie Summers and AFP
Illustrative: A relative takes a photo of his family, members of the Bnai Menashe community, leaving for Israel at Tulihal Airport in Imphal, India, December 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
January 5, 2024, 10:10 pm
Bnei Menashe community disputes Israeli reports of 7 killed in India violence
Crossed wires during a Knesset committee meeting may have led to a misunderstanding, say community leaders, stressing that their situation is dire enough without exaggerating it
By Jordyn Haime
Illustrative image of homes and businesses set on fire in the state of Manipur in northeast India, after clashes erupt between ethnic, religious communities, May 3, 2023. (Twitter video screenshot: used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
January 2, 2024, 4:55 pm
7 members of Jewish Indian tribe said killed in rocket strike on Manipur synagogue
Attack compounds case for quick resettlement in Israel of Bnei Menashe following inter-ethnic strife; Knesset members demand government address community’s concerns
By ToI Staff
An estimated 200 young Bnei Menashe men have joined the Israeli military's war effort. (Courtesy of Degel Menashe via JTA)
December 9, 2023, 3:44 pm
Since Hamas atrocities, Bnei Menashe Jews face enemies on two fronts
Many of the Jewish immigrants from Manipur and Mizoram live in areas hardest hit in the Oct. 7 massacre; while they serve in the IDF, others in India suffer from sectarian violence
By Jordyn Haime
A member of the Bnei Menashe community in northeastern India works to construct a temporary structure used in celebrating Sukkot. (Courtesy Shavei Israel via JTA)
October 6, 2023, 10:11 am
Displaced by ethnic violence, India’s Bnei Menashe Jews construct sukkahs nonetheless
As conflict in the northeastern state of Manipur enters its sixth month, a Jewish community fleeing decimated homes and burned synagogues is starting to see its exile as permanent
By Jordyn Haime
Austin Haeems with his etrog trees in Ahmedabad, India. (Courtesy of Haeems/via JTA)
September 29, 2023, 2:51 am
Why are Asian Jews importing etrogs on Sukkot even though their countries grow them?
With the discovery of the Chinese ‘Buddha’s hand’ citron, debates over the kashrut of local fruit have caused some Jewish residents to order etrogs from Israel or elsewhere online
By Jordyn Haime
Artist Meydad Eliyahu in his 'Copper Wing' exhibit at CACR Ramle through October 2022, part of the city's efforts to bring more art to the mixed Arab-Jewish city. (Courtesy: CACR)
September 28, 2022, 12:10 pm
In Ramle, copper art and a canoe ride reveal a complicated past and present
From market to mosque to underground melodies, a rich history mingles with the complexities of the modern mixed Jewish-Arab city
By Jessica Steinberg
Illustrative: Jews pray during Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, at the Magen Abraham Synagogue in Ahmedabad, India on September 28, 2020. (Sam Panthaky/AFP)
July 26, 2022, 10:58 am
Stone pillar in southern India may shed new light on region’s oldest synagogue
Jewish groups have history in India dating back to antiquity; pillar found not far from Chennai, where Sephardic Jews who fled the Spanish Inquisition formed a community
By Jordyn Haime
A health worker takes a nasal swab sample of a person to test for COVID-19 as others wait for their turn outside a field hospital in Mumbai, India, Thursday, May 6, 2021. Infections in India hit another grim daily record on Thursday as demand for medical oxygen jumped seven-fold and the government denied reports that it was slow in distributing life-saving supplies from abroad. (AP Photo/Rajanish kakade)
May 7, 2021, 3:47 am
Amid pandemic misery, India’s Jews try to stay safe while helping neighbors
Local Jewish groups are working to funnel assistance coming from international Jewish organizations, but also dealing with increased requests for assistance from within community
By Cnaan Liphshiz
Bene Israel women perform kirtans at AJDC program in Mumbai, 2016 (Surabhi Sharma)
February 26, 2021, 6:06 am
Jewish Indian women elders spearhead revival of Purim musical tradition
COVID-19 restrictions prevent holiday synagogue performance in Mumbai, but members of India’s largest Jewish community Bene Israel are still passing on the Hindu-inspired art form
By Renee Ghert-Zand
The Christmas rush at Nahoum & Sons this year. (Isaac Nahoum/Nahoum & Sons/ via JTA)
December 25, 2020, 4:35 pm
This 118-year-old Jewish bakery in India is a hit at Christmas time
Nahoum & Sons’ fruit cakes and Middle Eastern pastries are known far and wide. The only thing that’s changed since 1902 is the clientele
By Christabel Lobo
Jew Town signage remains in Kochi. (Christabel Lobo/ via JTA)
December 20, 2020, 7:14 am
India’s Jew Town only has a few Jews left, but traditions and landmarks remain
Once a vibrant community of 3,000 at its peak in the 1950s, only a handful of elderly Jews still live in the city of Kochi – but a rich history of coexistence has left its mark
By Christabel Lobo
Kickboxing champ Obed Hrangchal won national medals in India in several martial arts before moving to Israel. (Courtesy of Shavei Israel/via JTA)
September 23, 2020, 4:18 pm
Indian kickboxing champ moving to Israel, plans to represent his new home
Obed Hrangchal, 26, who won national martial arts medals in India, is a religiously observant member of the Bnei Menashe Jewish community
By Marcy Oster
A sign for Chabad in the main bazaar in New Delhi, India, December 12, 2016 (Nati Shohat/FLASH90)
November 11, 2019, 9:32 pm
India says Israeli, Jewish targets under immediate terror threat — reports
Cells with links to Al-Qaeda, Islamic State said possibly planning attacks on synagogues, groups of Israelis; could try to kidnap backpacker
By ToI Staff
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