Degel Menashe to Sponsor Summer Camp for B'nei Menashe Children at Kibbutz Ma'oz Tzur , Brit Milah, another first

(June 13, 2025) Degel Menashe is happy to announce a first ever summer camp for B'nei Menashe children at Kibbutz Ma'oz Tzur, Lamka, India. Invitations have been sent out and several parents have expressed their interests. It will be sponsored by Degel Menashe and organized by the BMC. The camp will begin on the 16th of June and will last a week till the 21st June, 2025. Shimon Thomsong, the kibbutz's religious instructor will lead classes in religious disseminations and Ohaliav Haokip, general educator-designate, to spread awareness on the importance of education. Jessica Thangjom will hold a meeting with the children on capacity building and career guidance with an eye on their eventual aliya in the near future. Eleazar Gangte will hold special Hebrew classes with a primary intent to expose students to modern Hebrew. It may be noted that several help books have been sent by Degel Menashe to school in the past few years. One of the classes is equipped with a 'smart tv' and Wi-Fi, instructions will be approached with an unorthodox means by using "YouTube". Besides these, there are fun and game programs under the initiatives of teacher, Leah Baite and her two volunteers, Rosy and Esther. During their stay, all children will be provided lodging and food. A budget has been designated and allocated by Degel Menashe. The primary goal of the program is to expose children to life in Israel, the importance of education with an eye to prepare them for the lives in Israel in the future.

A BRIT MILLAH AT KIBBUTZ MA'OZ TZUR, ANOTHER FIRST!

Shraga, which means 'light'.

In a truly historic and joyous moment and another significant first at Kibbutz Ma'oz Tzur, a 'Brit Millah', an age-old Jewish circumcision ceremony, was performed on Shraga Mangoulien Thomsong on the 14th of Sivan, 5785 corresponding to 10th of June 2025 on the secular, Gregorian calendar. He is the second child of our religious instructor, Shimon Thomsong and his wife, Shira. Shraga, which means 'light' in Hebrew is often associated with wisdom, knowledge and enlightenment. The proud parents, Shimon, told our newsletter that he and his wife chose that name in consultations with a rabbi in Israel.

Sandak, Enan holds the baby while the father, Shimon, looks on.

The ceremony was performed at the community synagogue at the kibbutz by Ofir Tungnung, an accomplished mohel from Beit Shalom, Vengnuom synagogue. The honor of being the sandak was given to Enan Khongsai, who is also a resident of the kibbutz. A simple meal followed the ceremony, fulfilling the sacred covenant that God had with our patriarch, Avraham, thousands of years ago. The parents have chosen a truly beautiful and an uncommon name. Hopefully, this will usher in many more happy moments and an increase in our numbers. Degel Menashe joins the many who wish this beautiful family to grow from strength to strength,

MAZAL TOV TO THE THOMSONG FAMILY!