Migration works underway, Bnei Menashe families await reunion in Israel

Aizawl: Selection process for members of the Bnei Menashe community migrating to Israel is underway, with the names of those chosen expected to be announced from Israel by Jan, community leader Jeremiah L Hnamte said on Monday.Hnamte told TOI that 300 people each from Mizoram and Manipur are likely to be selected, with departures scheduled for Feb.Since Dec 1, a delegation of 35 people, including nine rabbis, officials from the Jewish agency for Israel, and diplomats from the Israeli embassy — including the ambassador to India — had been stationed in Aizawl to conduct screenings. “We are keeping our fingers crossed for the announcement from Israel after their departure on Dec 10,” Hnamte said.More than 1,000 people from Manipur and around 600 from Mizoram came forward for screening at Thara Resort in northern Aizawl, where the delegation camped for over a week. Priority is being given to those with family members already in Israel, especially those who migrated under the Aliyah (Return to Zion) programme. Hnamte’s daughter and son migrated 10 and 5 years ago, respectively.Expressing hope, Hnamte said he and his wife, along with their son who has not yet migrated, wish to reunite with their children by joining the first group leaving India in Feb.Israel has recently approved a plan to absorb nearly 6,000 members of the Bnei Menashe community from Mizoram and Manipur by 2030.The Bnei Menashe, identified as descendants of the biblical tribe of Manasseh, are regarded as one of the “lost tribes of Israel”. Most had practised Christianity before converting to Judaism and receiving recognition from Israel’s Chief Rabbinate. Today, they observe Jewish traditions, celebrate festivals such as Sukkot, and have established synagogues in their communities.Israel formally endorsed Bnei Menashe immigration only in March 2005, when then Sephardi Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar officially recognised the community as descendants of a lost tribe of Israel.