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INDIAN COMMUNITY IN ISRAEL

There are approximately 70,000 Jews of Indian origin in Israel, most of whom are Israeli nationals. The main waves of immigration into Israel from India took place in the fifties and sixties. The majority is from Maharashtra (Bene Israelis) and smaller numbers are from Kerala (Cochini Jews) and Kolkata (Baghdadi Jews). The older generation still maintains an Indian lifestyle and their cultural links with India remain intact, while the younger generation is increasingly assimilated into Israeli society. They are mostly engaged in agriculture or work in the new development towns outside the traditional urban centers.

This community is playing an important role in the development of this country. They are considered to be hard-working, skilful, reliable and a responsible community that has contributed not only in agriculture but also as an effective workforce in many of Israel’s industries. A number of members of the community are active in social and political fields. Some entrepreneurs are also successful as restaurateurs, mainly serving Indian food. A few Indians have made a mark in the area of medicine and agricultural science. Jews from Cochin have contributed immensely to desert farming in Israel by adopting modern technology. Mr. Eliyahu Bezalel hailing from Chennamangalam, Cochin has distinguished himself as an eminent agriculturalist. He also became the first Israeli of Indian origin to receive the “Bhartiya Pravasi Samman” for the year 2005.

The resident Indian community of about 700 Indian citizens includes diamond traders, some IT professionals, students and unskilled workers. There are also about 6,000 unskilled workers mainly employed as care-givers. There is a Central Organization of Indian Jews, which brings together a large section of Indian Jews.

Schemes and Programs for Overseas Indians

Ø “Trace the Roots” programme

Ø Overseas Citizenship of India Scheme

Ø Know India Program: Internship Program for Diaspora Youth

Ø Scholarship Scheme for Indian Diaspora Children to study in Higher and Technical Institutions in India

List of Diaspora organizations

1.	Central Organisation of Indian Jews in Israel
	President		Mr. Benny Walter 2/14, San Martin. St., Lod Mob. 052-2929402, 0778951057 Res. 03-9351075 Email: bennywalter1947@gmail.com
2.	GOPIO (Global Organisation of Persons of Indian Origin (Israel)
	President			Mr. Naor Yehoshua Mob. 054-4595856 Tel. 077-9500074 Email: n2208n@netvision.net.il
3.	Indian Chaplaincy of the Holy land
			Fr. Jayaseelan, OFM St. Saviour’s Monastery New Gate, POB. 186, Jerusalem 0542-406803 02-6266713 Email: jaiofm@gmail.com
4.	Indian Community Organisation, Petha Tiqwa
	President	Mr Yaacov Talker 3/4 Greenstein Street, Petha Tiqwa-49339 Mob. 050-4432228 Res. 03-9304635 Yacovt52@walla.com
5.	IJCC (Indian Jewish Community Centre)
	President		Mr. Isaac Wasker Indian Jewish Community Centre, 31/48, Hahasmonaim St. Kiryat Mozkin. Haifa. 0544-719839, 04-9591028 Fax Email: isaacvas@walla.com
6.	Indian Jewish Heritage Centre (IJHC)
	Chairman		Mr. Nissim Moses E-mail: nmoses4278@aol.com Mobile: 054-6874601
7.	Indian Jewish Women’s Organization
	Secretary		Mrs. Elizabeth David Lod Email: ellisd10@gmail.com
8.	Kolmebesher (Cochini Jews)
	Secretary		Mr. Yossi Oren Moshv Taoz D.N. Samson-99725 M-050-6241788 Tel: 02-9912173 yosio@moag.gov.il
9.	“Sitar” - Organization of Indian Jews in Eilat,
	President		Mr. Isaac Solomon P.O. Box-2247, Eilat-88000. 08-6375570 08-6367084 (Fax) Mail: isaacsolomonsitar@yahoo.com
10.	India Hospice Center
	Director &Trustee		Mr. Sheikh Munir Ansari, P.O. Box -19019 Jerusalem-91190. 054-6348087
11.	Indian language publications in Israel:
	MAIBOLI (Marathi Quarterly ) Chief Editor		Mr. Noah Massil Tel: 02-5870507 (R), Mob. 0507-927247, Fax: 02-5870507 noahsnewark@bezeqint.net

"Know India Program" - Internship Program for Diaspora Youth (IPDY)

This program for Diaspora Youth is conducted by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) two to three times in a year. These are in the nature of an orientation program which will enable the participants to get exposure to various facets of Indian way of life, culture, spirituality, adventure and sports, creativity and composite character of India and interaction with youth from different parts of India.

Details and the eligibility criteria for the Internship program are as follows:

ü Candidates should be Overseas Indian students/young professionals in the age group of 18-25 years.

ü Candidates should mention their first name, middle name and the surname with Ms. or Mr. as the case may be along with passport number, date of birth, nationality, educational qualification and work experience.

ü Interest in a particular area of study or training should be indicated to further the participant's career prospects.

ü They should submit a medical card with details of blood group, known allergies and other details relating to their health. This should be accompanied by other particulars of the nominee.

ü A health Insurance should also be taken for the period of stay in India at their cost.

ü The participants should bring formal dress for formal occasions/ meeting with Indian dignitaries.

ü The participants have to bear the cost of their international airfares from Israel to Delhi (India) and back.

ü Expenditure on local hospitality including their lodging, boarding, internal transport internship fees and other charges will be borne by the Ministry and the State Government. They will also be granted gratis visa.

ü Details of the program are available in the MOIA website http://www.moia.gov.in

Comments by returning Indian Diaspora Youth members

“The accommodation surpassed all of our expectations and was very good…I am very grateful for having been given the opportunity to participate in the program as it has broadened my horizons and perception of my birthplace." Raviv Israel (Dec 2005-Jan 2006)

“The entire visit was well organized and we were well hosted and the accommodation was good. I was impressed by the progress made by Indian companies in the IT sector…. Overall the program was very informative and is an excellent tool initiated by the Government of India for the Diaspora Youth to be exposed and updated on various facets of Indian culture and technology." Aviva Israel (Dec 2005-Jan 2006)

“The program showed us India we did not know and have not heard about. Technology, education, infrastructure and much more that will definitely put India in the leading forces of the world. As a part of the Jewish people, who see the land of Israel as 'the land of the fathers', I must mention that IPDY has definitely made me refer to India as 'mother land'." Eyal Y. Dekel (Dec 2005-Jan 2006)

“The secret cause of success of the 12^th KIP was in fact the participants from all over the world- we were all Indians speaking different languages, born and brought up in countries spanning the globe. But it didn’t take long to prove that ‘we are Indians and we are proud to be one and we get along fine’ no matter from where we are. We were the true global Indians and KIP connects the world of Indians & brings them together” Avital Benjamin (Dec 2008-Jan 2009)

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Indian Community in Israel

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