INDIA, THE OLYMPICSAND

THE JEWS

By Judd Sundelson, Grade 4, King David, VP. South Africa. Teacher: Morah Kareen.

THERE ARE 81 INDIANSPARTICIPATING IN THE LONDON

2012 OLYMPIC GAMES

None of them are Jewish

The main areas of Jewish life in India

JEWISH LIFE IN INDIAToday, most of the Indian Jews live in Mumbai.

They have enjoyed religious freedom and prosperity.They are the smallest group of Jews outside Israel (in the Diaspora).

They are mostly orthodox or Sephardic.

The Indian Jews have adapted a lot of their Judaism to the culture of the Indian society.

There are 5 native Jewish communities in India.

1. The Cochin Jews- Arrived in India 2,500 years ago. Most were traders.

2. The Bene Israel –arrived about 2,100 years ago.

3. The Baghdadi Jews – Arrived about 250 years ago from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Arab countries.

4. The Benei Menashe – They claim descent from the tribe of Manasseh.

5. The Bene Ephraim- A very small group from Teluga who only started observing Judaism from 1981

The oldest synagogue in India, built 1567 – Pardesi Synagogue of Kochi

INTERESTING FACTS

1.There is no known anti – Semitism in India.2. The only Kosher slaughtering is of chickens.3. There are only about 5000 Jews left

in India.4. The Cochin Jewish community are the oldest

Jewish community in the world.5. Bensiyon Songavkar is a well known Indian

Jewish Cricketer.