A Lost Tribe in India Makes Its Exodus to Israel - The New York Times

The B’nei Menashe believe they are the descendants of Manasseh, a tribal patriarch from thousands of years ago. Evidence is thin, but Israel is welcoming them “home.” The B’nei Menashe believe they are the descendants of Manasseh, a tribal patriarch from thousands of years ago. Evidence is thin, but Israel is welcoming them “home.” People from B’nei Menashe community pray at a synagogue in the kibbutz near Churachandpur, in India’s Manipur state, in March. Credit... Supported by By Hari Kumar and Alex Travelli Visuals by Atul Loke Hari Kumar reported from Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, in the Indian state of Manipur. Alex Travelli reported from New Delhi. Of all the world’s tribes, the B’nei Menashe are as lost as they come. A few thousand can be found in a far corner of India, at the kibbutz of Ma’oz Tzur, where a subtropical breeze blew past the mezuza at Shimon Ngamthenlal’s door recently. He shuffled about his bamboo hut, tending to a collection of writings about Judaism, printed in

saved by

• Derek Yen