The Bnei Menashe community of northeastern India will celebrate Sukkot this year with support from the Shavei Israel organization, which sent hundreds of sets of lulavim and etrogim from Israel to India prior to the onset of the holiday.
In their festival prayers, the Bnei Menashe will offer its customary special plea, asking to fulfill their age-old dream to make aliya to Israel during the coming year.
“The Bnei Menashe are anxiously waiting for Israel’s government to pass a decision to allow them to come to Israel,” Michael Freund, Shavei Israel chairman and founder, said in a press release. “We hope the New Year will bring good news and that the dream of the Bnei Menashe to come to Israel will soon become a reality.”
Bnei Menashe in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur will celebrate Sukkot. (Photo: Courtesy of Shavei Israel)
The Bnei Menashe (Hebrew for “sons of Manasseh”) claim descent from one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel, who were sent into exile by the Assyrian Empire more than 27 centuries ago. They live in India’s northeastern border states of Manipur and Mizoram.
For information about Shavei Israel, visit: www.shavei.org.
