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A peasant from a village in southern Italy had a revelation, which led to the conversion of a band of his followers and their making Aliya to Israel. The women, who did not convert, keep the tradition for over five generations. San Nicandro, Italy Southern Italy is a beautiful region. Beautiful landscapes, simple agriculture and kindly villagers all create a pleasant and pastoral atmosphere for any guest coming for a stay. This week, I wish to describe the more interesting and powerful experiences I had during my travels among the far-flung Jewish communities around the world. This description is about what happened around the town of San Nicandro, which today has some 15 thousand inhabitants. It is located on the spur of Italy’s famous “boot,” not far from the city of Fuja. The story of the San Nicandro converts is a unique one. It constitutes a symbol and example of not only observing Judaism but also mainly its transmission from one generation to the next under uncertain conditions and even in “mixed” families.
"And these cherubs had their wings extended upward with the wings hovering over the kaporet [coverlet], with each baby-faced cherub facing his brother" (Exodus 25:20). Among the most well-known and fascinating accoutrements of the sanctuary in the desert were the pure gold cherubs on the cover of the Ark of Testimony. The most sacred objects in the sanctuary were the Tablets of the Ten Commandments, which were deposited in the Ark.

I was born and raised in Imphal, the capital city of Manipur, India´s easternmost state and home to many Bnei Menashe. In the mid-1990s, Rabbi Eliyahu Avichail of Jerusalem opened the Amishav house in Imphal. It consists of a synagogue, two guest rooms, a mikvah (ritual...