The Bene-Israel of India

The Bene-Israel is the largest Jewish historical community from the Indian sub-continent. According to their oral tradition, they arrived in India sometime in the first or second century BCE. We will explore their history, culture and heritage. How did it all began? What part did they take in the history of today’s India and Pakistan? What was their role under British colonial rule, and in the creation of the Bollywood film industry? Of some 100,000 Bene Israel at the turn of the 21st century, less than 4,000 remain in India. The great majority have immigrated to Israel, thus realizing their motto: “Mother India, Father Israel”