Rabbi Yehuda Gin made aliyah from Manipur, India in 1992. He is the first member of the Bnei Menashe community to be ordained as a rabbi. In this short video, produced by Shavei Israel, Rabbi Gin talks about his life and experiences - growing up in India, how he decided to become a rabbi and his overall positive philosophy.  

 

Click here to watch the video of Rabbi Gin.

We received this moving message from Rivka Fanai, a Bnei Menashe woman who we are helping attend the dental assistant course at Hadassah Hospital's dental school. We wanted to share it with you as well here.

 

My name is Rivka Fanai. I am 23 and I live with my mother and my cousin in Ma'alot. In 2006, when I was 17 years-old, we made aliyah from India thanks to Shavei Israel.  

 

I wanted to start my studies in a university in Israel but, because I was too young at the time and also because of a number of family problems, I wasn't able to. I have been working since then building electric circuits for computers and machines in a hi-tech plant called Comtel BMK. It is in the Tefen Industrial Zone, near where I live in the Galilee.

 

I am the only one who earns any money to support our family. Before we made aliyah, my mother was in a terrible car accident and has had surgery three times. Her situation is poor; she cannot stand up for more than a short time. My cousin was, until a year ago, a soldier in the IDF.

 

Two months ago, I learned about the dental assistant course at Hadassah Hospital's dental school. I think it will be very good for me and I would very much like to study the subject and to become an expert in this profession.

 

But, because I am the only one to bring in money to support my family, it was very difficult to make this decision. I can only continue in this course if I receive some support from an organization like Shavei Israel. Otherwise, I will need to continue to work at BMK.

 

I will be very grateful for your help. Thank you very much.

 

Rivka Fanai

  

Click here to read Rivka Fanai's full story.