History Bene Israel

bene israel teachers of free church of scotland s mission school , jewish english school in bombay, 1856

some historians have thought ancestors may have belonged 1 of lost tribes of israel, bene israel have never been officially recognized jewish authorities such. according bene israel tradition, ancestors migrated india after centuries of travel through western asia israel , gradually assimilated people around them, while keeping jewish customs. medieval jewish philosopher maimonides mentioned in letter there jewish community living in india: may have been referring bene israel.

at point in history uncertain, indian jew cochin named david rahabi discovered bene israel in villages , recognized vestigial jewish customs. rahabi taught people normative judaism. trained young men among them religious preceptors of community. known kajis, these men held position became hereditary, similar cohanim. became recognized judges , settlers of disputes within community.

one bene israel tradition places rahabi s arrival @ around 1000 or 1400, although historians believe not active until 18th century. suggest david rahabi of bene israel folklore man named david ezekiel rahabi, lived 1694 1772, , resided in cochin, center of wealthy malabar jewish community. others suggest reference david baruch rahabi, arrived in bombay cochin in 1825.

it estimated there 6,000 bene israel in 1830s; 10,000 @ turn of 20th century; , in 1948—their peak in india—they numbered 20,000. since time, of population have emigrated.

under british colonial rule, many bene israel rose prominence in india. less affected other indians racially discriminatory policies of british colonists, considered outside masses.they gained higher, better paying posts in british army when compared non-jewish neighbours. of these enlistees families later joined british in british protectorate of aden..in 19th century, bene israel did meet hostility newly anglicized baghdadi jews considered bene israel indian .they questioned jewishness of community

in twentieth century, numerous bene israel became leaders in new film industry in india. in addition, men worked producers , actors: ezra mir (alias edwin myers) (1903-1993) became first chief of india s film division, , solomon moses head of bombay film lab pvt ltd 1940s 1990s. ennoch isaac satamkar film actor , assistant director mehboob khan, prominent director of hindi films.

given success under british colonial government, many bene israel prepared leave india @ independence in 1947. believed nationalism , emphasis on indigenous religions mean fewer opportunities them. emigrated israel, newly established in 1948 jewish homeland.