Shavei Israel

Despite many challenges, we were blessed to facilitate the aliyah of thousands of people to Israel over the past several years. These 'olim' have to overcome many challenges such as language, culture, finding suitable employment, and helping to educate their children in a system that is completely unfamiliar. Most of them came here with just the suitcases they could carry.

We brought them home... Let's make them feel at home here in Israel!

https://www.shavei.org/we-brought-them-home/

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We will always remember. 9-11

The global Jewish population might be tiny, but it’s wildly diverse. Some Jews wear shtreimels; others wear jalabiyas. Some eat moufletta, while others eat bagels.

As Jews have spread out across the globe over the last two millennia, each community came up with a convenient shorthand. A label meant to answer the question: What kind of Jew are you? Ashkenazi? Sephardic? Mizrahi? Beita Israel? Bnei Menashe?

But identities are more complicated than one-word labels. Especially when two of these labels — Sephardic and Mizrahi — are often lumped together.

So, what do we mean when we talk about Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews?

Another great piece by Jewish Unpacked

Is there a difference between Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews? - Unpacked The terms “Sephardic” and “Mizrahi” are often used interchangeably, so what is the difference between these two groups?

The Kipgen family, from Manipur, India, are one of many families waiting for their turn to make aliyah. As the High Holidays approach, we join them in hoping that next Rosh Hashana they will be in Israel!

You probably know about the critical situation that has arisen in northeastern India which has left many Bnei Menashe Jews literally homeless.

Since May 3, ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki tribes has been raging in the Indian state of Manipur and the Bnei Menashe Jews have been severely affected.

But did you realize that some 2,000 Bnei Menashe Jews – 40% of the entire community – have been forced to flee are now homeless and destitute. Shavei Israel has been assisting the refugees since early May at the relief centers we established, but we are now down to just 2 weeks left of basic supplies such as food and medicine. It is therefore extremely urgent that we raise funds.

The cost per person is just $25 per month, or less than $1 a day, but since there are 2,000 refugees, the need is great and critical.

Please join us in helping these Bnei Menashe Jews in this extremely difficult time, and who continue to be at risk. Our brothers and sisters in India desperately need our help!

Bnei Menashe Emergency Relief Fund - Shavei Israel Please join us in helping these Bnei Menashe Jews in this extremely difficult time, and who continue to be at risk. Our brothers and sisters in India need our help!

Beautiful event this week in Jerusalem where 2600 sets of ‘tefillin’ were given out, including 300 to Bnei Menashe!

The event called ‘2600 LaHashem’ was held at the International Convention Center and was attended by rabbinic leaders as well as the President of Israel. An incredibly special evening!

The International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2017 in order to honor the victims and survivors of terrorism.

We remember this year’s victims of terror in Israel, including Batsheva Nagari, who was murdered today, in a hail of bullets, in front of her young daughter.

May all of their memories be blessed.

Rosh Chodesh Elul with the women of Beit Shalom, B. Vengnom along with displaced Bnei Menashe women.

Normally Rosh Chodesh is celebrated at the synagogue campus but the campus is occupied by the displaced Bnei Menashe. Instead it was held at the residence of Aviazer Haokip, Chairman of Beit Shalom, B. Vengnom.

The women recited all of Tehillim (Psalms) and they were praying for peace and normalcy in Manipur.

They welcomed Hanoch Haokip enjoyed listening to all he had to share with them about Rosh chodesh. He encouraged them with powerful words that mothers are the basic foundation of the jewish world and most importantly among the Bnei Menashe community to attain "Shalom Bayit" or peace in the home. Haokip stressed and highlighted the significance of the month Elul as a precursor to the High Holidays.

Once upon a time, Karachi boasted a vibrant Jewish community. This community is now gone and the traces of its culture in the Pakistani city are also slowly disappearing.

Pakistan: What's left of Jewish architecture in Karachi? – DW – 08/04/2023

More than 3 months since the start of the ethnic violence that has devastated the Bnei Menashe community in northeast India, thousands remain homeless and with no end in sight. But amazing efforts are being made to provide the children with as much normalcy as possible.

Photo Essay: Bnei Menashe in crisis - Shavei Israel More than 3 months since the start of the ethnic violence that has devastated the Bnei Menashe community in northeast India, thousands remain homeless and with no end in sight. But amazing efforts are being made to provide the children with as much normalcy as possible

Thanks to KK”L, and others, 80 Bnei Menashe children in Nof Hagalil had 6 fun-filled weeks of activity during the summer!

Colombian-born Rabbi Asher Abarbanel, our much-loved representative in Cali, Colombia, and his wife Margalit, celebrated the birth of their first-born son, Gadiel Rachamim, with a Brit Milah at their synagogue "Maguen Abraham".
MAZAL TOV!

Bnei Menashe girls from Nof Hagalil learn the traditional bamboo dance of Mizoram in advance of Aliyah Day. The bamboo dance, also called Cheraw, is the mesmerizing traditional dance of Mizoram.

Israeli Bnei Menashe girls learn dance traditions of their past - Shavei Israel Bnei Menashe girls from Nof Hagalil learn the traditional bamboo dance of Mizoram in advance of Aliyah Day. The bamboo dance, also called Cheraw, is a traditional dance of Mizoram. It is considered to be one of the oldest dances there. The dance is believed to have emerged out of a ritual.

Bnei Menashe at synagogue on Tisha B’Av night, reading the Book of Lamentations in Mizoram in northeast India

Exciting upcoming documentary covers the incredible journey of Milgrom , Author and her decades-long quest for her Jewish lineage.

Between the Stone and the Flower: A soon-to-be-released documentary - Shavei Israel Between the Stone and the Flower: The Duality of the Conversos covers the incredible journey of Genie Milgrom and her decades long quest for her Jewish lineage.

After 5 years in Katowice and 8 in Warsaw, working side by side with the Chief Rabbi of Poland, Rabbi Yehoshua Ellis has completed his mission there – and truly made his mark in the country.

A Rabbi in Poland: Mission Accomplished - Shavei Israel It's been almost 13 years since Rabbi Yehoshua Ellis was appointed to serve as the emissary for Shavei Israel in Katowice, Poland, and he made the move there from Jerusalem. After 5 years in Katowice and 8 in Warsaw, working side by side with the Chief Rabbi of Poland, Rabbi Ellis has completed his....

Bnei Menashe youth, members of the new, unique ‘Menashe’ branch of the Bnei Akiva youth movement, explore the northern hills of Israel and the Sea of Galilee.

Despite the prejudice they endure and the hardships the Bnei Menashe communities face, one simply can’t help but feel inspired. Even in the smallest of villages, they demonstrate a strong commitment to live a full Jewish life...

Finding hope and inspiration in India - Shavei Israel Despite the prejudice they endure and the hardships the Bnei Menashe communities face, one simply can’t help but feel inspired. Even in the smallest of villages, they demonstrate a strong commitment to live a full Jewish life.

Despite the violence and chaos that has hit Manipur, India for over 2 months, we’re doing our best to lift the Bnei Menashe community’s sprit through mobile Torah classes. 🕍

Bnei Menashe ‘Ohel Shavei Israel’ in Sielhok, Mizoram, at morning prayers today, on the fast day of the 17th of Tammuz.

Beautiful photo! 📷
Some Bnei Menashe students of Yeshiva Nechalim at the end of a moving three-day trip to Gush Etzion and Jerusalem. 🇮🇱

All of us at Shavei Israel join in wishing a very happy 4th of July to our friends and supporters in the United States!

[Credit: Oskar Rivera]

David and Esther, a young Bnei Menashe couple, were among those who lost their homes in the ethnic violence in northeast India. But Esther, in advanced stage of pregnancy, was in no shape to be running for her life…

After devastation, finding a reason to smile - Shavei Israel David Thangkhoneh and Esther Doungel were among the Bnei Menashe refugees from Sajal Beit Shalom, in northeast India, where their house - and the whole village - was burned down by the Meitei mob on May, 2023. They were among those who were rescued by the Indian Army and brought to their relief camp

Shavua tov! May it be a good week for all…

[Bnei Menashe post-Shabbat ‘havdalah’ ceremony in Hovevei Zion synagogue in Aizawl, Mizoram]

Photo Essay: Bnei Menashe - A people in crisis

Photo Essay: Bnei Menashe - a people in crisis - Shavei Israel It is now closing in on six weeks of ethnic violence that has devastated the Bnei Menashe community in Manipur in northeast India, with no end in sight. A total of 292 Bnei Menashe families (numbering 1,190 men, women and children) have been forced to flee their homes in the past few weeks since

May it be a peaceful Shabbat 💐🥖🍷

[Bnei Menashe teens making challah for Shabbat at the Shavei Israel relief camp in Manipur, India]

Years ago Yevgeny met Svetlana at a Hebrew language course opened by the Jewish Agency in Voronezh, Russia. Both motivated by a possible future in Israel, the two connected...and eventually fell in love. But their adventure was only beginning.

From Russia to Israel: A story of aliyah and love - Shavei Israel Years ago Yevgeny, from Voronezh in Russia met Svetlana, from Vissoky, at a Hebrew language course opened by the Jewish Agency in Voronezh. Both motivated by a possible future in Israel, the two connected...and eventually fell in love. But their adventure was only beginning.

A glimpse at life for the Bnei Menashe in the emergency relief camps now.

POV: “Everyone was silent most of the time and heads down, we were worried about others who were outside the camp. We heard gun shots, explosions, screaming, houses burning. We didn't have any clue what had happened to our friends and other families from our community. The situation was tense and mind-numbing. The emotions were high but we were unable to do anything. We were glad that we survived but constantly traumatised by the thoughts of other’s well being.”

~David Singson from Beth El, Langol; Ethnic violence in Manipur, India for the Bnei Menashe

Writer, researcher and dear friend of Shavei Israel, Genie Milgrom , Author met with Pope Francis at the Vatican's private library this week. A truly significant and historic moment to recover the identity of those whose lineage was lost during the Spanish-Portuguese Inquisition...

cc Genie Milgrom

Genie Milgrom has a historic achievement with the Pope - Shavei Israel Writer, researcher and dear friend of Shavei Israel, Genie Milgrom met with Pope Francis at the Vatican's private library this week. A truly significant and historic moment to recover the identity of those whose lineage was lost during the Spanish-Portuguese Inquisition.

Yosef Vaiphei from Beth El Langol, in Manipur, India, writes a wrenching account of that fateful night, when the current wave of ethnic violence began, where they lost everything.

Bnei Menashe in danger: A personal story - Shavei Israel A personal account by Yosef Vaiphei from Beth El Langol, in Manipur, India. Yosef's younger brother Samuel Vaiphei, who was married just a month ago, works for Shavei Israel and was in Churachandpur occupied with the work regarding the aliyah process for the next Bnei Menashe group to move to Israel...

The danger in Manipur, India is far from over. The region is highly unstable. We are working round the clock to help the Bnei Menashe. Meanwhile, we have been trying to make things as normal as possible with programs for kids and adults, and maintaining the spirit of Shabbat and holidays, for a little spiritual breather in each long and difficult week.

Shabbat shalom!

Bnei Menashe in danger: A personal story... Yosef Vaiphei from Beth El Langol, in Manipur, India, writes a wrenching account of that fateful night where they lost everything.

Bnei Menashe in danger: A personal story - Shavei Israel A personal account by Yosef Vaiphei from Beth El Langol, in Manipur, India. Yosef's younger brother Samuel Vaiphei, who was married just a month ago, works for Shavei Israel and was in Churachandpur occupied with the work regarding the aliyah process for the next Bnei Menashe group to move to Israel...

Devastating image of a destroyed Torah scroll in Manipur, India; just one casualty of the ethnic violence that has burned synagogues, a mikva and 100s of houses, making nearly 300 Bnei Menashe families homeless.

We are working round the clock to help. You can make a difference! Less then $5 a day can feed a family; $35 can feed them for a week.

Please make your generous donation to: www.shavei.org/relief.

They’re counting on all of us!

In light of the devastating ethnic violence in Manipur, India, more than 150 Bnei Menashe families are now homeless. We have been assisting them with housing, transportation, food, medicines and clothing. Now they are about to enter the holiday of Shavuot in these dire circumstances.

Bnei Menashe Emergency Relief Fund - Shavei Israel Please join us in helping these Bnei Menashe Jews in this extremely difficult time, and who continue to be at risk. Our brothers and sisters in India need our help!

The Bnei Sefarad community in Cuba is an emerging Jewish community that consists of descendants of Sephardic and Portuguese ‘Anousim’ (those who were forcibly converted in the time of the Inquisition) and have gone through a deep process of reconnecting with the Jewish roots of their ancestors, based on family histories rich in traditions of the Anousim.

Bnei Sefarad community in Cuba - Shavei Israel The Bnei Sefarad community in Cuba consists of descendants of Sephardic and Portuguese 'Anousim' and have gone through a deep process of reconnecting with the Jewish roots of their ancestors, based on family histories rich in traditions of the Anousim.

Yad Vashem: World Holocaust Center, Jerusalem is a poignant and emotional place that serves as a powerful reminder of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. And it’s an important stop in the journey of these Machon Milton converts to Judaism towards embracing the Jewish faith.

Converting to Judaism: A Visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum as a Lesson in History and Faith - Shavei Israel The Yad Vashem Holocaust museum in Jerusalem is a poignant and emotional place that serves as a powerful reminder of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. Recently, a group of individuals who are in the process of converting to Judaism through Shavei Israel's Machon Milton visited the museu...

We are working hard with our various partners to assist the Bnei Menashe in India who have lost everything due to ethnic violence there. Everything from shelter to clothing to food is necessary and thanks to so many, we are continuing to help in any way we can.

To contribute to the efforts: https://www.shavei.org/bnei-menashe-emergency-relief-fund/

Magen Abraham community in Cali, Colombia celebrating Lag B’Omer