India’s ‘lost Jewish tribe’ celebrate Chanukah

Hundreds of members of the Bnei Menashe community from across northeastern India gathered to light candles for the first night of Chanukah.

Meeting in Churachandpur, in the southwestern corner of the Indian state of Manipur, the Bnei Menashe, or sons of Manasseh, claim descent from one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel, who were exiled by the Assyrian Empire more than 27 centuries ago.

During their long sojourn in exile, they knew nothing about the Festival of Lights and did not celebrate it. This can be explained by the fact their ancestors were exiled from the Land of Israel about 560 years before the events related to Chanukah took place.

It was only a few decades ago, after reconnecting with the Jewish people, that the Bnei Menashe embraced the holiday.

Shavei Israel founder and chairman Michael Freund said: “The story of the Maccabees’ heroic determination to preserve their Jewish identity resonates strongly with the Bnei Menashe, who – against all odds and with tremendous effort – have managed to cling to their faith and that of their ancestors down through the centuries. This Chanukah, everyone in the community is praying for the safety of Israel’s soldiers and the safe return home of all the hostages in Gaza.”

After their expulsion from Israel, the Bnei Menashe’s ancestors wandered through Central Asia and the Far East for centuries, before settling in what is now northeastern India, along the borders of Burma and Bangladesh.

To date, the Jerusalem-based Shavei Israel organisation has made aliyah possible for over 5,000 Bnei Menashe and plans to help bring more members of the community to Israel.

Currently, there are 5,000 Bnei Menashe awaiting their return to the Jewish homeland.