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(April 4, 2025) This has been a busy week for Jews around the world. The B'nei Menashe community in the north east India is no different. But unlike other Jewish communities around the world, this community make their own matza in their homes. This has turned into a kind of an excitement that trigger all into a flurry of enterprise each week before Pesach comes in. Homes turn into a beehive of activities with all members putting in their bit to 'manufacture' home-made matzot. Here are some photos of a family making matzot:
In another development, 3 more packages of shoes and clothing arrived last week, just in time for Pesach. Earlier a package has been sent that arrived more than a month ago, bringing it to a total of four packages weighing a total of about 75 kilograms. The clothing were donated by various B'nei Menashe families in Israel and shipping paid for by Degel Menashe. 50 pairs of shoes were donated Moshe Sagaokar of Kiryat Ekron, Israel in the name of their organization, The National Union of Indian Jews in Israel. Degel Menashe, on behalf of Kibbutz Ma'oz Tzur send its grateful thank to Moshe and his organization!
Degel Menashe wishes all Beit Israel Shabbat Shalom and a very Happy Passover!
(April 6, 2025) The B'nei Menashe community and the rest of Israel woke up on Sunday morning to the news of an imminent Aliya announced by the Minister of Aliya & Klilta, Ofir Sofer. The story was carried by Israel's largest newspaper, Israel Hayom. According to the reports in Israel Hayom, the ministry is planning on bringing the 5,000 B'nei Menashe in India to join the similar number already settled here in Israel. The ministry will submit a special proposal to the government for approval in the coming weeks on the decision to repatriate members of the B'nei Menashe, the minister declared. For expediting the matter the minister assigned Moshe Pines, the deputy director general for this. His task will include, amongst others, to formulate a plan that will bring home all B'nei Menashe. Readers will recall the ethnic conflagration that has engulfed the state of to this day. Manipur has since ceased to exist, de facto, for all intent and purposes when Meitei supremacists led by Arambai Tenggol and Meetei Leepun launched a bloody campaign to ethnically cleanse the area of Kukis, to which the B'nei Menashe are a kindred tribe. Three communities and their synagogues were decimated in the valley and the survivors fled to the nearby hills where they found safety. Some of them have gone on to to build their lives and livelihood at Kibbutz Ma'oz Tzur, in a program initiated by Degel Menashe a year and a half ago.
Deputy Director General, Moshe Pines, will be taking the lead to focus on the vision of this program as spelled out by the minister, that is, strengthening the absorption and integration of the community into the general Israeli society. Degel Menashe's executive director, Yitzhak Thangjom, concurs with it, "This involves two steps, one, Aliya which is the process of bringing olim from point A to point B. Two, absorption, which is a much more complicated process and lasts a life time. I think that absorption should begin even before the actual aliya begins. Potential olim should be
exposed to what kind of jobs they can find, the kind of lives they can expect and learn as much about Israel as possible. That can ease their adjustments. In fact, while talking to some B'nei Menashe youngsters, one of them expressed that it would be helpful to know when they can expect to make the aliya so that that they can plan their studies, as an example. We are trying to bridge the gaps at Kibbutz Ma'oz Tzur."
In a prelude to this announcement by the minister for the impending B'nei Menashe aliya, on the 2nd April, Wednesday, the Ministry of Aliya & Absorption conducted a one-day workshop to address the integration of the B'nei Menashe community's into Israel. It was conducted under the personal direction of the section-head, Ms. Chen Dor and executed to perfection! Among the attendees besides the minister, the director-general, Avichai Kahana and the deputy-director general, Moshe Pines, who needs no introductions by now. Representatives from various ministries such as the education, social welfare and the Israel Students' Authority gave their respective
views on the matter. The B'nei Menashe came in their numbers with their project coordinators from various towns and municipalities from all over the country. The workshop was conducted to develop a perspective, monitor and redress the challenges it faces. The full-day discussion focused on its integration into the Israeli society, army services, education of the youths as well as the entry into the Israeli job market. Sumptuous breakfast and lunch provided a much needed respite from the intense program that followed.
The program was conducted by Ms. Sonia Manlun, a B'nei Menashe herself and a prominent social worker from Kiryat Arba where the oldest community resides in Israel. The speakers, beginning with the minister, took turns, that included Ms. Dor, Avichai Kahana and Moshe Pines. Another B'nei Menashe social worker, Esther Colney, took the audience through traditions through what shapes the mind of a typical B'nei Menashe. However, the most noteworthy discussion of the day was done by Ruby Gin-Ngaite. She had brought in 5 young B'nei Menashe youths who had succeeded in their respective domain and fielded them questions in terms of their struggle, journey and their eventual success.
The following day, on the of 3rd April, Degel Menashe was invited by the Minister at his office for a toast for the
upcoming festival of Freedom, Passover. The invitees were limited, barely about 50 to 60 consisting of imminent persons, members working with the ministry, including non-profit organizations and others. In the speech, the minister emphasized the continued importance of bringing home Jews from all over the world.
The B'nei Menashe, despite being a small community, has stood up to the myriad challenges that it faces. There is no magic bullet to solve the problems but resilience is the only way forward. The community expresses its grateful thanks to the Ministry of Aliya and Klita for the recognition and support it has received and hope that this partnership continues till all B'nei Menashe are home and beyond!
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