The Bnei Menashe in India? The descendants of the Anousim in Spain? The Levi family who turned into Li in Kaifeng, China? Read Israeli newspaper Ma'ariv's take on Shavei Israel in this insightful profile of Founder and Chairman Michael Freund, as part of the "100 Most Influential Jewish People in the World" series. Read More...
“It is not yet lost” – a profile of Michael Freund in Ma’ariv
Shavei Israel helps organize Shabbaton for more than 100 Colombian Bnei Anousim in Bogota
Colombian Jewish businessman Jack Goldstein has traveled the world for work and pleasure, from Ecuador to Ethiopia, Brazil to Burma. And in every place he visits, however far off the beaten track, he makes a point of seeking out something Jewish. But his greatest Jewish “discovery” – and now contribution – may turn out to be right in his own backyard. Goldstein, who lives in the country’s capital, Bogota, has become a staunch supporter of the burgeoning Bnei Anousim community in Colombia, one that has grown remarkably in the last few decades. Read More...
Pictures from the bar mitzvah of Mariusz Aoflko in Jerusalem
Visit our exclusive gallery of photos from the bar mitzvah of Mariusz Aoflko at the Western Wall. An emotional journey from Poland to Jerusalem! Read More...
“Lost” Polish Jew, 64, marks bar mitzvah at Western Wall
Mariusz Aoflko grew up Catholic in Poland. He discovered his heritage from his dying mother 13 years ago. The revelation changed his life. Last week, he was in Jersualem to celebrate his bar mitzvah at the Western Wall. Here's the story. Read More...
100 issues of “Roots”
Shavei Israel's "Roots" email newsletter has reached an important milestone - its hundredth publication since we started more than three years ago. To celebrate, we're taking a look back at some of the articles you told us were the most significant or meaningful stories we've published on the Bnei Anousim, Bnei Menashe, Kaifeng Jews, Subbotnik Jews, and Hidden Jews of Poland. Read More...
Shavei Israel’s new emissary to Italian Bnei Anousim shares the story of his own journey to Judaism and Israel
When Rabbi Pinchas (Pierpaolo) Punturello’s grandfather died in Naples, Italy, his father’s Catholic family covered all the mirrors in the house where visitors came to pay their respects. Rabbi Punturello was very young at the time and didn’t pay much attention. But that act – a specifically Jewish mourning custom – was the first subtle clue that there might be hidden Jewish roots in the family. Here is the fascinating story of discovery of Shavei Israel's new emissary to the Bnei Anousim in southern Italy. Read More...
Rosh Hodesh Sivan in Nagaland
Every month the Bnei Menashe celebrate Rosh Hodesh - the holiday marking the first day of the month. The day includes classes, food, prayers and the "Seder Amenim" where Bnei Menashe women recite blessings over food followed by a resounding "Amen" from all the participants. Here are some pictures our emissary to the Bnei Menashe in India, Yochanan Phaltuel, sent to us from this month's events in the Indian state of Nagaland. Read More...
Be’er Miriam activities in Katowice, Poland
Shavei Israel's "Be'er Miriam" center has been busy planning some great activities in Katowice, Poland. Here's a photo gallery of some of the more recent events, including a concert for the holiday of L'ag B'omer, making yummy Israeli dishes at the "Israeli Cafe," and scenes from the Shavei-sponsored class in Krav Maga, the Israeli self defense system. Plus a few photos from the housewarming and chanukat habayit at the home of Noemi, Varvara and Devora. Read More...
All-Italy Jewish seminar invites Bnei Anousim for first time
Every year, Italy's Jews get together for a weekend seminar in a seaside resort. There is sumptuous kosher food, in-depth Talmud study and a program of Jewish arts. It is one of the highlights of the Jewish calendar for the entire Italian Jewish community...except for one group: the Bnei Anousim of southern Italy, who have never been invited. Until now. Here's the story of the seminar and the major changes happening with Bnei Anousim in Italy. Read More...
Shavei Israel creates innovative new center for Jewish youth programming in Katowice, Poland
Noemi, Varvara and Devora are three young women who were all on the periphery of the Jewish community in Katowice, Poland – interested but mostly isolated. Moreover they all faced financial difficulties, which made them personally and spiritually vulnerable. Their futures looked uncertain at best – until Shavei Israel’s emissary to the region, Rabbi Yehoshua Ellis, stepped in. Read More...
