(February 16, 2025) Ma'oz Tzur residents gathered in their modest numbers to commemorate T"U B'Shvat on a cold early February morning, last Thursday. Saplings of 50 lemon trees were distributed and planted by each and every family. Earlier, pomegranates, oranges, gooseberry and other local varieties had been planted over the last year or so culminating to T"U B'Shvat, this year. This is keeping in mind to educate not only the children but all residents about their environments and how it impacts their lives. Learning to co-exist with it. Ma'oz Tzur recently had reopened its school and its mission, philosophy is to impart an all-round education, beyond just the formal ones. Seed sowing season will begin in another couple of months and with hopes that it will be a fruitful year. Degel Menashe will strive to support each and every endeavor as it has done in the past. Let this new year for trees forbode good tidings for all Israel, B'nei Menashe and off course, Ma'oz Tzur!
Prep and Elementary students in their classroom at Ma'oz Tzur.
(February 7, 2025) After a hiatus of almost two years The Rabbi Eliyahu Avichayil Memorial Hebrew School has reopened again this week after having been shut in the face of an ethnic cleansing perpetuated by Meitei supremacist in the capital Imphal and surrounding valley. Over the last couple of years, Ma'oz Tzur has grown to almost 20 families and a headcount of about a hundred. The population is young with a majority being 25 or under, most having fled the valley and other districts following the onslaught of armed Meitei groups such as the Arambai Tengol and Meetei Leepun. The school-going children number 34 varying in ages from 3 to 18. As per plans, the initial 5-room structure that was built in late 2023 will serve as the school building. The occupants having been provided with independent homes. A computer, a smart TV and a printer has been procured to aid studies for the school with objectives to conduct 'smart classes'. A Wi-Fi system had been installed since the last couple of months to supplement and expedite this program.
The school building at Ma'oz Tzur.
In a conversation with Ohaliav Haokip, principal designate, he takes us through the school's educational program. Haokip holds a BTech in Aeronautical Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology besides another degree in Economics and a Masters in Data Science which was sponsored by Degel Menashe's scholarship initiatives. He explained that the classes are divided into 3 groups; Prep & Elementary consisting of children from ages 3 to 11, middle school from 12 to 14 and seniors, 15 to 18 year-olds. Prep students are basically 3 to 5 year old children and elementary are 6 to 11 year-olds studying from grades 1 through 5. Their study hours are from 10:00 am to 01:30 pm in classes taken by Leah Baite with the help of volunteers from the older children studying in senior classes. The middle school's timings are from 06:30 to 10:00 am and seniors from 04:00 to 07:30 pm both groups are taught by Haokip. There are 21 students in the prep and elementary, 7 in the middle and 6 seniors for a total of 34. About another 10 students from the Pejang community are slated to join them soon. The chairman of Pejang has said that they will build a dormitory for them at Ma'oz Tzur in the coming days. Interest has been expressed by the Petach Tikva community of joining too which is being explored as of now.
The classes intend to impart education in creative, out of the box way to make learning fun and interesting. The idea is to provoke their curiosity, says Haokip and initiate creative thinking. That being the reason for procuring the smart TV and the Wi-Fi connection. This week, being the first week of classes was a success with the children participating with great fervor. (Readers can take peek at one of the classes by clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/mecowgHG0r0?si=EpMvn7LyUnotNelb)
Night classes for senior residents in progress.
Haokip explained to us that the curriculum will consist of both religious as well as secular to prepare students for a spiritual fulfillment and a career. There are two teachers and another, a third one, Shimon Thomsong, who hold religious classes on Judaism for the community especially for parents who attend his classes at night. If that can be counted, it will constitute the fourth group. There are 6 who are in the senior category on the threshold of a life as an adult. The 6 will be preparing for their board examinations and have been admitted to the National Institute of Open Schooling with their fees and expenses borne by Degel Menashe. Haokip will be giving them intense preparations, akin to private tuitions, given the importance of the examinations which will decide their future careers. In addition to religious and secular studies emphasis will also be given to learn about Israel, their future home. Life in Israel, it's people, government, education, careers, job opportunities, geography, history, whatever that may be needed for a successful integration, to survive, thrive and even flourish in Israel.
The ability to reinstate this school goes to Sam Marshall and the Mumbai ORT team for their generous contribution in sponsoring three teachers, two for Ma'oz Tzur and one for Shlom Tzion at Aizawl, Mizoram. Our heartfelt thanks goes to them.
Students with their teacher, Leah Baite (extreme right).
Unfurling of the tricolor by the Deputy Ambassador.
(January 27, 2025) As has been the practice, the Indian Embassy sent out invitation to officials, Indian expatriates and prominent members from the four Indian Jewish communities consisting of the Bene Israel, Cochinis, Baghdadis and the B'nei Menashe. The B'nei Menashe was represented by Degel Menashe's executive director, Yitzhak Thangjom and his wife, Jessica. Notwithstanding the cold weather attendees came in numbers to listen to the Deputy Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Rajeev Bhowade deliver a Republic Day message on behalf of the President of India, Ms. Draupadi Murmu. Mr. Bhodwade has taken over the mantleship of the embassy till the new ambassador takes over. The event took place on the grounds of the official residence of the Indian ambassador at Herzliya. It may be noted that the Indo-Israel relationship has come a long way since diplomatic relationships were established more than 30 years ago and set to grow stronger with each passing day. The reader may be reminded that Israel's first ambassador to India, H. E. Ephraim Dowek, his wife and his team visited the B'nei Menashe community during his tenure as guests of Degel Menashe's executive director's father, Yehoshua LS Thangjom. It is a matter of pride that the B'nei Menashe is part of this burgeoning relationship between our two great and ancient nations, a living bridge!
Guests taking part in the Republic Day celebrations.
Deputy Ambassador, flanked by Thangjom and his wife, Jessica.
