Bnei Menashe woman at the recording studio in India

Irene Orleansky is a multi-talented Israeli musician whose work spans a wide range of genres - from world music to folk to new age and electronica. A popular performer on the Israeli club circuit, her latest project may be her most ambitious yet.   

Orleansky has been traveling throughout the world to capture the music of far-flung Jewish communities - including the Bnei Menashe in India. Her goal: to create a CD with music exclusively from lost tribes and hidden Jewish communities, with part of the proceeds going to back to the participating groups.  

Click here to learn more about and see pictures from Orleansky's recording sessions with the Bnei Menashe. 

The Touthang family selling the "four species" in India

For many years, Shavei Israel has been shipping the arba minim - or the "four species" used during the holiday of Sukkot - to the Bnei Menashe in India. Our special deliveries have included literally hundreds of etrogs (citrons) and lulavs (palm fronds which are ritually waved during the festival). 

This year, however, the Bnei Menashe began putting together their own arba minim using items found locally. And they set up regional "marketplaces" all across northeastern India to sell the four species to their home communities. 

We have pictures here from the Touthang family's marketplace in Churanchandpur.