UPDATES IN BRIEF: Of Mushrooms, Roads, Academic Excellence And a Bat Mitzvah

Participants of the Mushroom Culture Workshop.

(May 11, 2025) Three ladies from Kibbutz Ma'oz Tzur recently completed a 10-day workshop on mushroom culture. It was sponsored by India's largest bank, The State Bank of India and was held at Pearsonmum in Lamka. The program was designed to impart to the participants thorough knowledge of both the theories and practical skills in mushroom cultivation with an objective to promote cottage industries and entrepreneurial skills. Students were taught basic skills along with methods of cultivations, housing units and even packing techniques with a environmental concerns added to it.

The three successful candidates from Ma'oz Tzur.

It was an opportunity to learn a skill which can be put to good and gainful use in the kibbutz. The training was provided free of cost but peripheral expenses like travels were not and was provided by Degel Menashe. The participants are all residents of Ma'oz Tzur, wives, mothers and nurturers. They are Rachel Ngainu Touthang, Esther Nengpichong Touthang and Shifra Thomsong. At the end of the training session an examination was conducted in which all our three candidates were declared successful and awarded certificates each. With this useful skill in hand, the kibbutz is ready to explore yet another dimension in productivity and self reliance. We join this beautiful community towards realizing its dreams and wish them the very best.

ROAD TO THE KIBBUTZ PAVED WITH GRAVEL:

Road to Ma'oz Tzur: Ready for the Monsoon.

Monsoon season has always been a challenge for the residents when roads become muddy and slushy rendering clothing, especially shoes dirty. Thanks to initiatives and funds that became available, a 1,920 foot approach road to Ma'oz Tzur has been paved with stones and gravel. Hopefully this rainy season things will be beter.

DEGEL MENASHE SCHOLARSHIP BENEFICIARY BRINGS ACCOLADE:

Yehoshua Elezra hold his certificate of Academic Excellence.

A proud moment: a recipients of Degel Menashe's scholarship program, Yehoshua Elezra, has made it to the Dean's List at the prestigious Machon Lev College in Jerusalem for academic excellence. He is a a second year student pursuing Computer Programing. Yehoshua is the oldest son of Shimon and Ruth Elezra of Kiryat Arba. His father works at Intel and the mother is an English teacher. It may be mentioned that he has spent several months in the IDF during this longest was Israel has faced. Degel Menashe wishes him the best in life and in his pursuit of higher learning.

YET ANOTHER FIRST, A BAT MITZVAH!

Rachel with her birthday cake.

Degel Menashe sends out a BIG MAZAL TOV to Rachel Nengaithem Haokip for her Bat Mitzvah and a road to future paved with responsibility and success!

The Bat Mitzvah girl with her family.

Kibbutz Ma'oz Tzur Celebrates Israel 77th Independence Day: In Pictures

The R. Avichail Memorial Hebrew School children celebrate Israel Independence Day.

Residents preparing for the event.

Decorating the venue.

Primary school children with Flags of Israel.

The event unfolds!

Shlom Tzion Synagogue at Aizawl.

B'nei Menashe Prepare Matzot for Pesach & Holiday Gifts arrive at Ma'oz Tzur

Women of Shlom Tzion, Aizawl prepare matzot.

(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:

The process begin with kneading.

Firing up the coal.

The end product, a home-made matza!

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!

Packages arrive at Kibbutz Ma'oz Tzur.

M'oaz Tzur women sift through their gifts.

A very Happy Pesach to all!

Degel Menashe wishes all Beit Israel Shabbat Shalom and a very Happy Passover!