VIDEO: Four Bnei Menashe weddings in one day at Givat Haviva
Shavei Israel Chairman Michael Freund recites the “Sheva Brachot” blessing at the chuppah of Gilad and Ashira Singson
The joy experienced by the Bnei Menashe who have made aliyah from India in the last three months has been twofold. First, of course, there is the fulfillment of their lifelong dream of immigrating to the Promised Land. But a lesser known simcha (happiness) has been the flurry of weddings that have taken place at Shavei Israel’s Givat Haviva Absorption Center, where the Bnei Menashe have been living since their arrival.
As part of their aliyah, each Bnei Menashe who comes to Israel also undertakes a process of formal return to Judaism. This includes an appearance before a Rabbinical court, which has been visiting Givat Haviva once a week, and subsequent immersion in a mikveh (ritual bath). Shavei Israel’s Director of Bnei Menashe Aliyah and Absorption Rabbi Hanoch Avitzedek explains that at the completion of the process, “Jewish law considers each new convert as if they are starting anew. Therefore, married couples traditionally undergo a Jewish wedding ceremony.”
As a result, Givat Haviva has seen no fewer than 50 chuppot (literally: “wedding canopies”) since January, sometimes as many as nine a day! The couples head to the mikveh in the morning and the ceremony is held by evening. We have video and pictures of the most recent weddings, on a day when four were held back to back (these are not group weddings conducted all at once). The wedding ceremonies themselves are relatively simple affairs, followed by a festive meal for all the participants and guests together – often up to 200 people – in the dining hall of nearby Kibbutz Ma’anit, upon whose land Givat Haviva sits.
Last week’s weddings included a particularly moving story. Gilad and Ashira Singson were engaged in India in 2007. Gilad was given permission to immigrate to Israel on a Shavei Israel sponsored flight and did so; Ashira expected to follow soon after. But it was at exactly that point that the Israeli government closed the doors to Bnei Menashe immigration, and the newly engaged couple were separated for nearly six years until their sweet reunion in Israel only now.
During that time, Gilad established himself in Israel. He has learned Hebrew and set up a home in the Galilee town of Ma’a lot, where he works. At their wedding were members of Gilad’s immediate family and other Bnei Menashe who made aliyah with him in 2007. “It was really remarkable to see them all there, speaking Hebrew, all proud Israeli citizens,” Rabbi Avitzedek says.
The 274 Bnei Menashe who began arriving at the end of last year are now Israeli citizens, too. They will undoubtedly become the guests at the weddings of future Bnei Menashe immigrants who, with G-d’s help, Shavei Israel will be bringing over in the coming months and years.
Enjoy the following video with highlights from the weddings: