The story of the Bnei Menashe — a community from the Mizo and Kuki ethnic groups of Manipur and Mizoram who claim descent from the tribe of Manasseh — is one of the most extraordinary stories in the history of the Jewish people. Over the past half century, their journey from isolated northeastern Indian hill tribes to recognized members of the Jewish nation has involved rabbinical debates, political controversies, DNA studies, and the relocation of thousands of families to Israel.
The Origin of the Claim
The Bnei Menashe claim that their ancestors were among the ten tribes of Israel exiled by the Assyrians in 722 BCE. According to their oral traditions, the exiled tribe of Manasseh migrated eastward through Persia, Afghanistan, and China before settling in the hills of what is now northeastern India. Along the way, they lost most of their knowledge of Jewish practice but retained certain observances and oral traditions that their leaders recognized as Hebrew in origin when they encountered the Bible in the 20th century. A religious awakening in the 1950s, triggered by a local prophet’s vision, led the community to formally identify as Jews and to seek reconnection with the Jewish people.
Early Community Development
In the 1950s and 1960s, community leaders in Manipur and Mizoram began teaching themselves Jewish law and practice from the Hebrew Bible and from books about Judaism they obtained through missionary contacts. They established synagogues, began observing the Sabbath, and adopted Hebrew names. The community grew gradually, with more families joining as the movement spread through the hills of northeastern India. By the 1980s, the Bnei Menashe had established a substantial community with dozens of synagogues and thousands of practicing members.
Rabbinical Recognition
The Bnei Menashe sought formal recognition from Israeli rabbinical authorities, which would allow them to emigrate to Israel under the Law of Return. After years of debate, Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar issued a ruling in 2005 recognizing the Bnei Menashe as descendants of the tribe of Manasseh. This recognition opened the door to aliyah for thousands of community members, though it also required formal conversion to mainstream Orthodox Judaism for those not already converted. The ruling was controversial — some questioned the historical basis for the claim — but it gave the community official standing in the Israeli religious establishment.
Aliyah and Life in Israel
Thousands of Bnei Menashe have now emigrated to Israel, with a significant community established in settlements in the West Bank and in development towns across the country. Life in Israel has involved a steep learning curve: adapting to a new language, a new climate, and a new social environment while maintaining the Bnei Menashe community’s distinct identity. Organizations like Shavei Israel, led by Michael Freund, have provided extensive support for the community’s integration, including language training, housing assistance, and community programs.
Those Who Remain in India
Not all Bnei Menashe have emigrated to Israel. Thousands remain in Manipur and Mizoram, maintaining their synagogues and Jewish community life in northeastern India while awaiting opportunities to make aliyah or choosing to remain in the land where they grew up. They represent a living Jewish community in India, practicing Judaism in a remote corner of the subcontinent, a continuation of the long story of Jewish life in India that stretches back over two thousand years.
For more on the Manipur and Mizoram Jewish communities, see the Manipur Jews section of this website.