In 2002, Shavei Israel Chairman Michael Freund and Chief Rabbi of Efrat, Shlomo Riskin, visited the Bnei Menashe in India. For ten days they traveled between villages in the Indian states of Manipur and Mizoram, meeting with dozens of Bnei Menashe community members and hearing their remarkable stories. Aviel Tongkhohao Hangshing was one of them.
 

An elder of the community in Kangpokpi, Hangshing was attending a question and answer session about Israel and aliyah. He tentatively raised his hand and Rabbi Riskin called on him.
 

"Rabbi," Hangshing started. "I'm worried about something. I'm already 81-years-old. I'm not sure if I'll ever make it to Israel, and I haven't done a formal conversion to Judaism yet. But I keep Jewish Law and do all the mitzvot here in India. My question is: when I go up to heaven, will I get credit for them?"
 

Rabbi Riskin was moved to tears by the anguish he felt in Hangshing's petition. "Of course it's going to count," the rabbi reassured Hangshing.
 

Twelve years later, Aviel Hangshing has finally made aliyah! Click here to read the rest of his fascinating story.
 

Cover of new Shavei Birkon in Italian

Shavei Israel has published its first comprehensive guide in Italian to the prayers, songs and customs of the Shabbat table for use primarily by the Bnei Anousim in Sicily and southern Italy.
 

The birkon (the title is from the Hebrew for "blessing") was created by Shavei Israel's emissary to the Bnei Anousim in southern Italy, Rabbi Pinchas Punturello, along with the head of Shavei Israel's Bnei Anousim department in Israel, Tzivia Kusminsky.
 

The guide is centered around the full birkat hamazon (Grace after Meals), which is included in Hebrew, Italian and an Italian transliteration. The Sabbath Kiddush and Havdalah prayers appear as well.

 Click here to read more about this wonderful new Shabbat guide.