January 2, 2007 / 12 Tevet 5767

Last month 218 Bnei Menashe, Indian Jews who claim descent from the tribe of Menashe, and exiled from Israel over 2,700 years ago, finally made their way home to Israel.

They were greeted at the airport by Jewish Agency representatives and other Bnei Menashe family and friends, who had made aliyah over the past decade. They were welcomed with traditional Jewish songs, dancing and waving of banners.  

The fulfillment of this age-old dream was expressed by one of the Bnei Menashe who exclaimed, with tears in her eyes:  "This is the promise of G-d - the promised land of G-d."

From the airport they were taken to their new homes in the Carmiel and Nazereth Illit Absorption Centers. The children and adults were immediately placed in schools and ulpanim. 

The Jewish Agency is deeply indebted to a generous donation from Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, who heads the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) and to "Shavei Yisrael", a non-profit organization assisting lost Jews, who have accompanied this special community for more than a decade, helping to pave their way home.