(December 6, 2024) An exhibition of the Bnei Menashe photos by Dorit Lombroso in memory of the two slain Bnei Menashe soldiers was held on the 4th December at Hebrew University. It was specially dedicated to Geri Gideon Hanghal who was tragically killed when a truck driven by a terrorist rammed into his outpost in northern Samaria and Gary Zolat, who was killed in combat in Gaza, recently last month. It was an initiative taken and sponsored by the IJHC and Degel Menashe to bring about awareness of the community and its place in Israel. It may be noted that several Bnei Menashe youths are serving their mandatory service as well as those called up for reserve duty. Most of them are serving in combat units. For most, if not all, it is a bounden duty and a badge of honor to serve in the IDF and defend Israel. The community is about 5,000 strong here in Israel and a similar
number waiting to come home to Israel from India. As per sources, the matter is being pursued and only a matter of time before it is implemented soon. Apparently, this time the government will be solely be responsible for carrying out this operation. It has been determined that no private organization will be put in charge, as had been the practice the last 20-odd years.
Dorit Lombroso is an artistè extraordinaire, a photographer of immense talent and eye for details that can be seen in her exquisite photos. She divides her time between her homes, one in Caesarea and the other one in Los Angeles. She learnt about the Bnei Menashe from her younger daughter who had served with a Bnei Menashe boy in the same unit. She eventually tracked down Degel Menashe's executive director, Yitzhak Thangjom and his wife, Jessica, and that culminated into these photographs displayed at the exhibition. After the meeting that took place sometime in 2018, Dorit decided to make a trip to what is now the erstwhile state of Manipur on an expedition to photograph the Bnei Menashe in their traditional surroundings. She stayed and lived with the community for month learning about them and
assiduously documenting their lives through her lens, literally. Though this is not the first time these photographs have been exhibited but it had certainly has garnered the attention it deserves. Earlier the photos have been seen at Albuquerque, Los Angeles and a year-long display at the Diaspora Museum, ANU. Riding on the crest of this success, the IJHC chairman, Rafi Bhonkar, is planning a bigger event early next year in 2025. Dates will be determined and announced very soon.
The exhibition took place at the Harman Science Library at Hebrew University's Givat Ram campus. Degel Menashe was represented by its chairman, Hillel Halkin, board members, Reuven Gal and Rivka Lunkhel as well as the executive director, Yitzhak Thangjom. The gathering began at 4 pm while guests looked at the photos on display. The program began punctually a half an hour later. The opening talks were given by the director of the library, Tamar Bloemendal-Link and greetings by Prof. Malka Rapaport. That was followed by a discourse of the voyage of the Bnei Menashe through time and space, eloquently, by Degel Menashe's chairman, Hillel Halkin. One of the guests remarked that this story ought to be heard at the Knesset as told by him. The India Embassy sent the Director of the Indian Cultural Center, Ms Sayali Mhetre and two officers as its representatives. Readers might be interested to know that Halkin and Yitzhak Thangjom has written two books together on the subject of the Bnei Menashe. The first one, Across the Sabbath River, written and released in 2002 and lately, Lives of the Children of Manasia, in 2022. For those interested the second book is available on Amazon and the publisher's site at Geffen. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the first. It is most likely out of print. Next, Rafi Bhonkar, chairman of the IJHC, took
everyone on a journey through history, covering the four main Jewish communities of India, the Bnei Israel, Baghdadis, Cochinis and the Bnei Menashe. The Bnei Israel are mainly from western India around the Konkan coast who are the largest demographically among all Jewish groups. The Baghdadis, who came to trade in 18th century, live in Mumbai and Kolkota. The Cochinis are from southern India and finally, the Bnei Menashe who hail from northeast India's states of Mizoram and the erstwhile Manipur. Manipur, sadly, is in a state of turmoil
since the outbreak of an ethnic cleansing which has seen several Bnei Menashe displaced from the valley. Degel Menashe has established Kibbutz Maoz Tzur to shelter them.
Among those who attended was a representative from the Ministry of Aliya & Absorption, Chen Dor. She serves as the head of department in the Ministry which deals with matters including the Bnei Menashe. Degel Menashe has met with her and the Deputy Director-General, Moshe Pines, on several occasions. Several discussions and plans have taken place to tackle the aliya and subsequent successful absorption of the community which has, dismally, not been the case in the last 20-odd years when a private organization was involved. Many lessons have been learnt from past mistakes that had been committed in those past years. It is heartening to learn that the Ministry is determined not to repeat them. Degel Menashe is very pleased to see old friends like Milka and Shmulik Zailer, who have been a long-time and a steadfast supporter of its various initiatives, to participate in this event.
Degel Menashe sends its thanks to the Hebrew University, the Indian Embassy, IJHC and all who participated in this exhibition.