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Indian Jews bring traditional celebrations to Israel

Members of the Jewish-Indian Bene Israel community are eager to share their Malida ceremonies and traditions with other Israelis, and this year they're doing it over Zoom.
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Israelis of Indian origin have been busy this week preparing for the annual Malida ceremonies to be celebrated Jan. 27-28. With the country under closure and with family gatherings banned, festivities are being relegated to Zoom and other virtual meeting places. Still, the community refuses to give up on the joy these ceremonies are known for and the celebrations that have grown increasingly popular in Israel.

The Jewish Indian community in Israel is comprised of three groups: the Bene, Cochin and Baghdadi communities. The Malida ritual is performed also on other family occasions but always once a year, on the day Jews worldwide celebrate Tu Bishvat, the Jewish Arbor Day. The Bene Israel community believes that on this day of Tu Bishvat, hundreds of years ago, a dozen of Jewish men and women from ancient Israel were shipwrecked off the west coast of ancient India. Fearing for their lives, the survivors prayed to the Prophet Elijah and were saved. It is in memory and thanksgiving of that event that Indian Jews mark the Malida. They consider the prophet a protector of both the individual and the community.

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