The Bnei Menashe are a community from the northeastern Indian states of Manipur and Mizoram who claim descent from the tribe of Manasseh, one of the ten lost tribes of Israel. Their tradition holds that their ancestors were exiled from ancient Israel and migrated eastward over millennia, eventually settling in the hills of northeastern India. In the 20th century, a religious awakening led many community members to formally embrace Judaism, and thousands have since made aliyah to Israel. These photographs document their journey from the hill tribes of Manipur and Mizoram to the Jewish people.
Bnei Menashe Community Life in Manipur
The Bnei Menashe community in Manipur and Mizoram maintains Jewish practices while living in the remote hill regions of northeastern India. Community members observe Shabbat, keep kosher dietary laws, and celebrate Jewish holidays, often adapting these practices to their local environment. A synagogue in Churachandpur, Manipur serves as the religious center for hundreds of local families.
Aliyah to Israel
Thousands of Bnei Menashe have emigrated to Israel under the Law of Return, with many undergoing formal conversion to mainstream Judaism supervised by the Israeli rabbinate. The process of aliyah has been supported by organizations including Shavei Israel, founded by Michael Freund, which has been instrumental in facilitating the community’s recognition and immigration.
Jewish Practice in the Northeast
The Bnei Menashe observe Jewish law with remarkable dedication despite their remote location. They have built synagogues, established Jewish schools, and maintain a community life centered on Torah study and prayer. Their story represents one of the most extraordinary examples of Jewish identity persistence and revival in modern history.
Origins and History
The Bnei Menashe’s claim to Israelite ancestry has been supported by DNA studies and historical research, though it remains a subject of scholarly discussion. Their oral traditions include accounts of the Exodus, ancient Hebrew prayers preserved phonetically in their local language, and ancestral customs that parallel biblical Israelite practice. Israeli rabbinical authorities, including the Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar, have recognized them as descendants of the tribe of Manasseh.
The Community Today
Today, the Bnei Menashe community is split between India and Israel. Those who remain in Manipur and Mizoram continue to practice Judaism, maintain their synagogues, and await opportunities to make aliyah. Those who have settled in Israel have integrated into Israeli society while maintaining pride in their unique northeastern Indian heritage, creating a bridge between two very different cultures.
For more about the northeastern Jewish communities of India, explore the Manipur Jews section of this website.