Dear Friend,

We warmly welcome you to the pages of our site, the organization and the Heritage of the different communities of the Indian Jews.

In the past year the IJHC has concentrated on a multiple course of action to enhance the awareness of the people of Israel and other foreign lands of the Heritage of the Indian Jewish Communities in India, in Israel and other centers. Effort has been made to draw our people from all the communities closer together. Major effort is directed towards presenting distinguished personalities of the communities, detailed in Bio Briefs and “Single Page Pictorial Lifetime Review” and of their contribution to society. 

In addition is the inclusion of the children of the Indian Jewish Communities in Israel in the Joint Ministry of Education and Diaspora Museum Project - “From Generation to Generation”. In this project the children of Indian parentage are encouraged to meet their grandparents in school under the guidance of their school teachers, and to record their grandparent's life, experiences and other special events in their lives. The information will be documented in pictorial form in the archives of the Diaspora Museum.

Furthermore we have embarked upon setting up a Virtual Museum, and hope to see progress in the near future.

Finally the Integrated Bene Israel Family Tree Project has grown to about 32,000 data entries, several more thousands of photographs and historical biographical information. On this basis a Bene Israel Timeline has been created. We would like to encourage persons of our sister Jewish communities of India to join us by nominating a person from their community to prepare their genealogical history too. 

Time is running out and as the older generation steadily moves on, a lot of essential information is lost forever. We will be ever ready to assist their representative to promote and advance their project through our experience on the subject. Note a Family Tree project is the foundation stone for acquiring biographic, historical data and information about our ancestors in India and elsewhere. 

We at the Indian Jewish Heritage Center make it our goal to unite and promote the awareness of the Indian Jewish Communities. Till now, we could say, that though restricted by limited funding and other resources, our members are doing an excellent job.

To all our sons and brethrens who have fallen in the Tsuk Eitan Operation (Operation Protective edge), amongst them two from our community; and to the people of the state of Israel who have all suffered recently from the event, our hearts and strength are with you.

Finally – we the Members and the Board of Directors of the Indian Jewish Heritage Center wish the people of Israel, our Indian communities, and all our friends a “Shanna Tova”, a very Joyous New Year.

Yours sincerely,

Nissim Moses

President Indian Jewish Heritage Center

Historian-Indian Jewish Heritage & Bene Israel Genealogy Research

Dear Friend and Supporter,

Thank you for your interest in the Indian Jewish Heritage.

Through this website that we have labored to create with the finest taste possible, we hope to capture and present you a rich and colorful tapestry of a heritage that is steadily fading with the sands of time.

But along with the past that we hope to capture, digitally preserve and offer to all viewers and researchers, we hope to reach the second – third, future children and generations of Indian Jews who will one day question their identity and their past. We believe that in order to prepare for the future with honor, one should recognize and acknowledge his past.

Below are a number of our projects during 2014:

Plaques at entrances of Historical sites of Indian Jews in India. This includes religious buildings, cemeteries, hospitals, schools and others. The project is in cooperation with Marian Sopher, Jay Waronker and the Indian Embassy in Israel. The plaques will have a QR code that will link the viewer to www.indianjews.org where all information of the site will be available, including history, photographs, video clips etc.

Information and Tourist Booklet of all the Indian Jewish sites, information, maps with directions, etc. In cooperation with the Indian Embassy in Israel.

Personal Computers (20) were donated to individuals of the Bnei Menashe community in Afula and Migdal Haemek. In collaboration with the non-profit organization – "Machshava Tova", Jerusalem.

Another 40 Personal Computers in December 2014 for the above community in collaboration with Machshava Tova.

Basic Personal Computer Courses offered free in Afula for the Bnei Menashe community. In collaboration with the Ministry of Absorption, Afula Municipality.

Organized Tour to India for Injured Soldiers of "Tsuk Eitan". The tour is sponsored by Friends of the organization "Beit HaLochem". The IJHC will assist in organizing the tour program including trips to the Indian Jewish sites.

Pesach Gifts to 20 needy children from "Atid" Kfar Hanoar Yohana Jabotinsky, Beer Yaacov.

Accounting – we have completed the Trial Balance for the financial years 2010 – 2013. In the near future we will be presenting the official report to Israel Ministry of Justice and the Israeli Corporations Authority in order to attain a permit for Nihul Takin (Proper Management). We function in total transparency and our books are open to inspection. For all those interested please coordinate your request in advance.

We have a wonderful core group of about twenty persons who dedicate their time, energy, professional capabilities, individual talents and especially their unending love to a purpose that they see as historically positive. Donations are basically raised from this group and a lot of wonderful members, friends and supporters who share a responsibility for the Indian Jewish Heritage.

We continuously welcome new friends and supporters, your cooperation and donations.

Sincerely,

Avner Isaac
Chairman
November 2014

Board of Directors

President: Mr. Nissim Moses
Chairman: Mr. Avner Isaac
Secretary: Mrs. Ruth Greenfield

Board Members:

Ms. Florie Shimoni
Mrs. Yaffa Gupte
Ms. Liz Massil
Mr. Mark Sopher
Mr. Pinhas Yosef
Mr. Isaac Ashkenazy
Ms. Sybil Ezekiel
Mrs. Applette Sopher
Mrs. Jessica Thangjom
Ms. Batsheva Langer
Mrs. Liz Zaviv - Treasurer

Inspection Committee:

Mr. Isaac Thangjom
Mr. Avi Daniels

Lawyer: Mrs. Galia Shmilovich
Accountant: Mr. Yoram Tsarom