From the conflict-ridden hills of Northeast India to the ancient Holyland, the Bnei Menashe, often called "India's forgotten Jews," are one step closer to completing a remarkable journey home. The Israeli government has recently approved a plan to bring the remaining members of this unique community to Israel by 2030, marking a significant milestone in a saga that spans over 27 centuries.
The Bnei Menashe, which means "Children of Manasseh" in Hebrew, claim descent from one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel, specifically the tribe of Manasseh, who were exiled by the Assyrian Empire around 732 BC. Over generations, they migrated through Persia, Afghanistan, and the Himalayas, eventually settling in the remote northeastern Indian states of Manipur and Mizoram, bordering Myanmar.
Isolated from the rest of the Jewish world, the Bnei Menashe maintained their traditions and belief in one God through oral traditions, observing customs reminiscent of ancient Israel, including ritual sacrifices and the observance of feasts. In the 1950s, a reawakening occurred when a tribal leader had a dream that their ancient homeland was Israel, sparking a movement to embrace their Jewish identity.
Despite their claims, the Bnei Menashe's Jewish identity has been a subject of debate. It wasn't until 2005 that Rabbi Shlomo Amar, the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, recognized them as descendants of Israel, paving the way for their Aliyah (immigration to Israel). Since then, approximately 4,000 Bnei Menashe have already immigrated to Israel.
The recent decision by the Israeli government, spearheaded by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Immigration and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer, aims to bring the remaining 5,800 members of the Bnei Menashe community to Israel by 2030. As part of this initiative, 1,200 members have already been approved to immigrate by the end of 2026. The government has allocated a budget of around $27 million to facilitate the transfer of the first wave of immigrants, covering expenses such as flights, conversion classes, Hebrew lessons, and housing.
The Bnei Menashe's journey to Israel is not without its challenges. The community has faced ethnic tensions and unrest in the Manipur and Mizoram regions, prompting the Israeli government to expedite their immigration. Moreover, upon arrival in Israel, they undergo a formal conversion process to reaffirm their Jewish faith and are encouraged to adopt an Orthodox lifestyle. They are expected to settle in northern Israel, specifically in Nof HaGalil and other cities in the Galilee region, as part of a government initiative to strengthen and develop the area.
Prime Minister Netanyahu hailed the decision as "an important and Zionist" step, emphasizing its role in strengthening the North and the Galilee. Minister Sofer echoed this sentiment, stating that this immigration wave "strengthens the resilience, solidarity, and renewal of the State of Israel".
While the Israeli government and various organizations like Shavei Israel are facilitating this large-scale Aliyah, some remain skeptical. Concerns have been raised regarding the lack of scientific verification of the Bnei Menashe's lineage and the potential political motivations behind their resettlement in northern Israel, a region facing security tensions. Nevertheless, for the Bnei Menashe, this move represents the fulfillment of a 2,700-year-old dream—a return to their ancestral homeland and a reunion with their brethren.
