India

 

Jewish history in India goes back hundreds of years. Today, there are three main groups in India with different histories and a sizable number of Indian Jews living in Israel. The three groups are Cochin Jews, from South-West India’s Kerala region, Bene Israel, from Mumbai and surrounding areas, and Baghdadi Jews, from Kolkata and nearby. Smaller communities include the Bene Ephraim, Bnei Menashe, and Afridi/Pathans.

At Kulanu, our main contact has been with the Bene Ephraim and Bnei Menashe, thanks to the visits of Jack and Diane Zeller, Rabbis Bonita and Gerald Sussman, and Judi Kloper.

Useful Resources

Photos and Videos

• ONLINE SPEAKER SERIES: Tales from India’s Bene Ephraim Jewish Community

• Photo Album of the Sussmans’ trip to India by Rabbis Bonita and Gerald Sussman and the Bene Ephraim community (2007)

• Bene Ephraim Playlist on Kulanu’s Youtube Channel

General Information

• Spirit floats on the water by Dr. Eyal Be’eri (2019)
• Visiting Noah’s Children in Vizag, India by Meylekh Viswanath (2017)
• U.S. SPEAKING TOUR. A Non-Jew Dreams of Bringing Jewish Studies to India by Navras Jaat Aafreedi (2008)
• Indian Jews with Biblical Roots by Navras Jaat Aafreedi (2007)
• Jews of India by George Abraham and Kenneth Robbins
• Indo-Judaic Studies Journal (IIAS site)
• The Jewish Community of India (Jewish Virtual Library site)

Bene Ephraim

• The Tzidkaniot: Righteous Women of Kulanu Communities By Bonita Sussman (2016)
• Ephraim’s People And Me: Connected By Traditions And Love Judi Kloper (2015)
• Bene Ephraim: Notes from the Field Jobie Lay (2011)
• The Bene Ephraim of Andra Pradesh by Yulia Egorova and Shahid Perwez (2011)
• India Journal by Rabbis Bonita and Gerald Sussman (2007)
• Meeting the Jews of Andhra Pradesh by Karen Primack (2007)
• DNA, Indian Jews, Manipuris and the Telugu-Speaking Community by Tudor Parfitt (2002)
• Meet the Telugu Jews of India by Jason L. Francisco (1995)
• Let’s Go to India by Jason Francisco (1995)
• Bene Ephraim of Andhra Pradesh, South India by Sadok Yacobi

Bene Israel

• Portrait of a Congregant: Nissim Moses by Karen Primack (2007)
• New Delhi Shul Thriving at Age 50 Despite Dwingling Numbers by Karen Primack (2007)
• Thane Jews Pass the Blood Test by Manoj Nair (2002)

Bnei Menashe

• Alongside Bnei Menashe: A Personal Journey by Laura Ben David (2015)
• Bnei Menashe Respond to Halt of Conversions in India (2005)
• Long-Lost Jews by Michael Freund (2002)
• “Lost Jews” Find New Friends by Gary Rosenblatt (2002)
• Lost Jewish Tribe Wants Israeli Home The Associated Press (2000)
• Coming Home to Israel by Avishai Guite (2000)
• Remote Destinations by Gabe Levenson (2000)
• Menashe’s Children Come Home by Wendy Elliman (1999)
• A Letter from India by Benyamin Haokip (1999)
• An Appeal for the Shinlung of India by Jack Zeller (1998)
• The Manipur by Bruce Terris and Jack Zeller (1996)
• Successful Absorption: The Shinlung in Israel by Jack and Diane Zeller (1995)
• Menashe Organization Convenes
• The Mizoram of India by Rob McBride
• Bnei Menashe Celebrate Sukkot in Northeast India (weblink)
• Bnei Menashe (link to Bnei Menashe website)

Cochini

• How I Became a Cochini Jew By Arun Viswanath (2015)
• Restoration of the Historic Indian Synagogue in Parur, Kerala by Jay A. Waronker (2011)
• Synagogue Searching in Kerala, India by Ann R. Haendel (2006)

Erode

• Embracing the joy of Judaism in Erode, India by Judi Kloper (2020)
• In Rural South India, Torah Study Flourishes by Judi Kloper (2020)

Madras Jews

• Finding History Where Least Expected By Judi Kloper (2019)

Pathans/Pashtuns/Pakhtuns (Afridi) of India

• Pashtun Clue to Lost Tribes of Israel by Rory McCarthy (2010 – from The Observer, UK)
• A Biblical Connection (2008 – from The Times of India)
• Unexpected, Impassioned Student of Indian Jewry by Cynthia Dettelbach (2007 – from Cleveland Jewish News)
• When a Pathan is Called a Jew by Agniva Banerjee (2007 – from The Times of India)
• Did the Taliban Come From a Lost Israelite Tribe? (2015 – from The Jewish Standard)
• Researcher Claims Proof of Tribe of Ephraim in India by Matt Zalen (2006 – from Jews and Joes)
• Malihabad’s Israeli Connection (2002 – from The Times of India)
• In Pursuit of the Lost World by Agniva Banerjee (2002 – from The Times of India)
• Pathans (India) from Shavei Israel’s website, shavei.org
• To learn about this community in other parts of the world, click here