Shalom.
Greetings from Bene Ephraim of Andhra Pradesh, South India. I delight to share the past and current information about our community. Though we are born Jews, we have completely left Jewish identity and live like other Indians. Nearly 200 years ago Christian missionaries visited us and converted as Baptist Christians. So we were in American Baptist Christianity in many years.
But since 1981 some of us sincerely decided to rejoin with other Jewish community and we started to remember our original history. In 1994 Rabbi E Avihail visited us and understood our zeal. But due to political problems he faced in Israel, he could not help us in any sources.
Only 50 families in our village participate in Shabath services. We follow Hebrew calendar and we celebrate the holy days of Torah. All of us learned Hebrew to read and write. All of us are the agricultural labourers. We used to get very low wages. So we are very poor and needy. We need help to be self supported the honest and sincere request. Please we need perfect knowledge to perform religious activities. On behalf of our community I would like to undergo few months training in USA or Israel.
To know the detailed, clear and original history of our people, everyone need to buy and read the book called ‘THE CULTURAL HERMENEUTICS’ an introduction to the cultural translation of the Hebrew Bible among the ancient nations of the Thalmulic Telugu Empire of India, written by Shamuel Yacobi. The persons who interested can send the DD for the 39 Dollars including shipping on favour of Sadok Yacobi in advance to the following address by the register post only:
Mr. SADOK YACOBI
BENE YACOB SYNAGOGUE
KOTHA REDDY PALEM POST
CHEBROLE – 522 212
GUNTUR DISTRICT
ANDHRA PRADESH
INDIA