Shavei Israel Newsletter - January 31, 2012

Report from India: Hebrew and a hike through the jungle at Shavei Israel's Bnei Menashe seminar

Studying in Manipur

Shavei Israel staff is continuing its six-week visit to the Bnei Menashe in India, teaching classes in Judaism and Hebrew. Rabbi Hanoch Avitzedek, Director of Shavei Israel's Bnei Menashe Aliya and Absorption Department, and Tzvi Khaute, Shavei Israel's coordinator for the Bnei Menashe have sent us an update on the group's activities so far. Among the highlights:

Rabbi Yehuda Gin's visit to the 600 person strong Bnei Menashe community in the distant village of Moreh, which borders Myanmar (Burma) and is located 150 kilometers from the main Shavei Israel Hebrew Center in Manipur.

The exhilarating Hebrew teacher training program in Churachandpur where 75 young Shavei Israel "Fellows" are studying to become teachers in their own communities, helping to spread true "Hebrew fever."

Shavei Israel's first ever visit to the Bnei Menashe community in the tiny village of Leimatak, located deep in the jungle, a 2-hour walk by foot from the nearest road. We brought the community Tefillin, tallitot (prayer shawls) and mezuzas.

Click here to read the full report from India.

Kaifeng Jews: Returning Home

Click to watch our new video montage

Shavei Israel has been privileged to work with the small but dedicated Jewish community in Kaifeng, China. The first Jews arrived in Kaifeng over a thousand years ago, when Jewish merchants from Persia settled in the area.

Today there are between 500 and 1,000 identifiable descendants of the Jewish community, and in recent years an awakening has been taking place among them, as increasing numbers of young Kaifeng Jews seek to reclaim their heritage.

We have put together a special video montage of the Kaifeng Jewish community. Please click here to watch.

Learn more about San Nicandro Jewry

San Nicandro women

The unique story of the Jews of San Nicandro, Italy, dates back to the end of the First World War, when a badly wounded soldier named Donato Manduzio returned home from the front.

An illiterate peasant, Manduzio found himself confined to his bed, so he decided to learn how to read. Advancing quickly in his studies, he devoured novels and other works of literature, before turning his attention to the Bible which enabled him to discover Judaism.

To read more about this fascinating story and to learn about Shavei Israel's role in assisting this community, please click here.

Roots #32 - Jan. 31, 2012

We are an IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

Shavei Israel reaches out and assists Lost Tribes and "Hidden Jews" seeking to return to the Jewish people. These include the Bnei Menashe of India, the Bnei Anousim of Spain, Portugal & South America, the "Hidden Jews" of Poland and others. We welcome your support.

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