Eleven Bnei Menashe couples, all of whom recently immigrated to Israel from northeastern India, were remarried Wednesday in a festive and emotional group ceremony at Shavei Israel’s absorption center in Nordia, near Netanya, after completing their formal conversion to Judaism by the Chief Rabbinate. The 11...
The Return of the Bnei Anousim, a Symposium moderated by Shavei Israel Chairman Michael Freund, was designed and created to shed light on this very important and often underexposed journey of "Returnees to Judaism". The Bnei Anousim of Portugal & Spain are so numerous that...
Shavei Israel communities all over the world celebrated Tu B’Shevat. Known as “The New Year of the Trees”, this year's celebrations, although muted due to coronavirus, were certainly enjoyed. We look forward to the holidays each year, not just to celebrate and enjoy, but to receive...
After almost three years of research, Dr. Idan Pérez has edited and published the Sidur Catalonia. The prayer book is based on six manuscripts from the 14th-16th centuries and constitutes the recovery of the ancient Nussach Catalonia, the Jewish custom of the prayers used by...
As new immigrants to the country, the 257 Bnei Menashe who are at our absorption center at Nordiya (near Netanya) are actively involved in many things such as learning Hebrew, doing their formal conversion to Judaism, and preparing for their new lives in Israel. As they...
More than fifty of the 250 recent Bnei Menashe immigrants completed their formal conversion this week by Israel’s Chief Rabbinate, rejoining the Jewish people in Zion after 2700 years of Exile. Take a little virtual visit of the Bnei Menashe at the absorption center near...
Parshat Vayigash- written by Rabbi Reuven Tradburks The Parsha begins in the middle of the story. Yosef has just told Yehuda and all the brothers that Binyamin, the thief, will become a slave to Yosef. All the others are free to leave. Our Parsha begins with...
[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text]Like we do every year, we've collected Chanukah photos from our wonderful communities in countries around the world. The people are so happy to share. Please explore the lit candles in menorahs of every size and shape, the...
By Michael Freund After a long and tiring flight throughout the night, the band of new immigrants emerged from the El Al plane and made their way slowly down the stairs, their senses heightened by the early-morning chill as well as the knowledge that their cherished...
"Michael, there is one more family who really need financial assistance. Tamar, a widow with two children, aged 14 and 17 years. She was tested corona positive end of September, did a second test after 14 days still tested positive. She is the only bread...
