Shalom from India

By Judi Kloper, 2018

One week was too short for a return visit to the Bene Ephraim community in Kottyreddypalem, a village in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, where I was warmly welcomed as an auntie returning “home.” We greeted Shabbat on Friday night, learned about that week’s parsha during Saturday morning’s service, and together we ended Shabbat with Havdalah. I was able to to meet some of the people whom Kulanu, with your help, has assisted with their education and health care, and with many Judaica items, including siddurim, hanukkiyot, and mezuzot. This community continues to need our support for the education of its children – from elementary school to college – as well as emergency health care needs, and for the repair and possible rebuilding of the small synagogue. Currently we need to raise $2000 for tuition fees, uniforms, and books for 12 of the Bene Ephraim children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sara Prasanthi, with her quiet demeanor and bright smile, is 17 years old, and with the help of Kulanu, just completed her high school studies. In July she begins four years of studying toward an engineering degree. She enjoys helping her only brother, 10-year-old Daveed, with his homework. Sara extends thanks to all who’ve helped her, explaining, “We are very poor, so we need a good education. If we get a good education, we get good knowledge and we know about our community and being Jewish, about Israel, who we are, and to know all the world. I can get a good job, and help my family members of course. Thank you so much for doing what you are doing to help us.” Mazel Tov, Sara Prasanthi! We are so proud of you!

Some babies are not named until they are at least a few months old, depending on if the family wants to have a celebration. This mom asked Judi to name her daughter; Judi was honored and chose the name Shira, Hebrew for “song.” The child’s name is now Shira Aksitha (Telegu name meaning “immortal”). The black dot on Shira’s forehead and cheek is a Hindu custom that even non-Hindus in India have adopted, and is placed there to ward off the “evil eye.”

Moshe Korahi reciting the blessings before and after reading the week’s parsha. The community comes togetherweekly to celebrate Shabbat and many in the community have a chance to read the blessings in Hebrew, transliterated into Telegu, their native language (though some can read Hebrew). This book that Moshe is reading from is a siddur translated many years ago into Telegu by Sadok Yacobi, leader of the community. Sadok’s daughter Keziya is now transliterating brachot (blessings), Shacharit (morning prayers), Mincha (afternoon prayers), Maariv (evening prayers), some psalms, and a few holiday services.

David Rajasekhar is 20 years old and recently earned a diploma in elementary education. He hopes to be teaching a class between grades 1 and 5. David plans to eventually earn a Master of Arts in political science and expressed a desire to learn more Torah. David says, “I want to give great thanks to Kulanu for helping me get an education to become a teacher. This is a big help to me and I will never forget.”

Victoria Miriam is reciting the blessings before and after the Torah portion. Though Victoria Miriam can read the blessings in Hebrew, here she is reading from a siddur in which the blessings were transliterated into Telegu, the language spoken in this part of India.

 

Ephraim, age 25, standing with the author, Judi, has been chanting the blessings before and after the Torah portions, and helps prepare for Shabbat at the small hall that serves as the community’s synagogue. He finished 12th grade in 2012, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in 2015. He also finished training in electronics manufacturing and air conditioning and refrigerator repair to help him find sustainable employment. In 2016, Ephraim suffered from a dangerous intestinal blockage; with Kulanu’s assistance, he was able to receive excellent medical care and regained good health. Ephraim is grateful to Kulanu for the support he and his community have received.