Rejoining the land of their ancestors: Israel. This is the dearest wish of the Bnei Menashe, Indian Jews who claim to descend from one of the ten lost tribes of Israel, exiled by the Assyrian Empire over 27 centuries ago. Their ancestors wandered through Central Asia and the Far East for centuries before settling in what is now northeastern India, along the border with Myanmar and Bangladesh. The Shavei association, based in Israel, assists them during the long and difficult aliyah process, from the preparation of their file to their integration into Israeli society. Laura Ben-David, photographer and Director of Marketing and New Media at Shavei, granted us an interview on the incredible journey of the Bnei Menashe from their last moments in India to their arrival in the Jewish state.
"It is very moving to accompany them in this process that radically changes their lives. We work with several remote Jewish communities around the world, including the Bnei Menashe. In India, we have teams that help them with aliyah because they face a lot of bureaucratic issues in having their Jewishness recognized. I personally met and photographed the Bnei Menashe in India and upon their arrival in Israel. I particularly formed connections with most of them; it’s a wonderful community, both very conservative and also very open to the world," said Laura Ben-David.
Throughout their time in exile, the Bnei Menashe continued to practice Judaism as their ancestors had, particularly by observing the Sabbath, keeping kosher, celebrating the festivals, and following the laws of family purity. They have always nurtured the dream of one day returning to the land of their ancestors, the Land of Israel.
Today, there are about 10,000 Bnei Menashe left in the world, with 5,000 still stranded in India, in the states of Manipur and Mizoram; they are waiting for their aliyah requests to be accepted by the State of Israel. In 2005, a chief rabbi in Israel confirmed their identity as a "lost tribe" with historical ties to Judaism, but researchers have not found enough evidence to support this claim. The Bnei Menashe Jews began immigrating to Israel in the 1990s.
"Their Jewishness goes back for years, but they don’t have the documents to prove they are Jewish, so it’s extremely difficult for them to manage on their own. That’s when the association steps in, particularly by providing them with visas so they can come to Israel and convert directly here. We also regularly send teams to India to teach them Hebrew," says Laura Ben-David.
Integration in Israel
In Israel, the Bnei Menashe, who number around 5,000, mostly live in the Galilee. They primarily work in the social and healthcare sectors as nurses, dental hygienists, or social workers. "Integration is a huge challenge for them because they don’t have the language or the cultural codes of the country, so we help them take their first steps. In the Galilee, we have all the services already in place to support the Bnei Menashe, to assist them and ease their integration into the workforce and into society in general. They continue to practice their traditions while perfectly adapting to Israeli life, which is a very interesting phenomenon. They contribute a lot to Israeli society and are highly involved; they wanted this aliyah so much that once they’re here, they make sure to succeed," says Laura Ben-David.
The Bnei Menashe are also very involved in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and enlist in large numbers. Serving their country is not only a duty but also a great source of pride. Most of the time, they are above the required age when they arrive in Israel (20 years for men and 21 for women), but they are determined to join the IDF and do everything they can to be accepted, even at 24 or 26 years old.
Earlier this month, the first Bnei Menashe soldier was killed in action in the Gaza Strip. Sergeant Major Gary Lalhruaikima Zolat, 21, from Afula, leaves behind his parents and three siblings. His two older sisters also serve in the Israeli military.
The Bnei Menashe at the Heart of Danger in India
In May 2023, the Bnei Menashe became victims of ethnic conflict, particularly in the Manipur region of India, and were targeted. The Shavei Association assisted them, provided protection, and offered food. According to Shavei Israel, more than 1,000 community members, or 20% of the total, were displaced, and one of them was killed. Two synagogues and several mikvaot (ritual baths) were set on fire.
Once settled in Israel, very few Bnei Menashe return to India, even for visits, mainly due to the high cost of travel. "In general, they have closed the chapter on their past life in India and are opening a new one in Israel. It’s very different from aliyah from France or the United States. This is a much more spiritual and meaningful aliyah, a true return to their roots," concluded Laura Ben-David.
Caroline Haïat
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