(Jewish Group) Bnei Menashe community member killed, 2 synagogues torched in India violence

Members of a small group tracing their heritage to the ancient Israelites and seeking to move to Israel found themselves caught up in violent ethnic clashes in northeastern India this week, when at least one member of the community was killed, 10 more went missing, and over 200 homes were torched in the state of Manipur.

A father of four from the 5,000-person-strong Bnei Menashe community is known to be dead and 10 others are unaccounted for, a Jewish organization with local volunteers told The Times of Israel on Thursday. Shavei Israel, headed by Michael Freund, is an Israel-based organization that encourages people of Jewish descent to strengthen their connection with Israel and immigrate.

In addition, two synagogues were burned down, and one Torah scroll was torched.

Freund said that at least 210 Bnei Menashe homes were also burnt to the ground. His organization, which is active in northeast India as part of its mission to return “lost” Jews to the fold, is raising money to provide emergency assistance to the community.


In this picture taken on May 3, 2023, smoke billows from a house allegedly burned by the Meitei community tribals protesting to demand inclusion under the Scheduled Tribe category, in Churachandpur district of India’s Manipur state. (AFP)
© Provided by The Times of Israel

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