Judaism was one of the first foreign religions to arrive in India, and the history of Jews in India reaches back over 2,000 years. There are five native Jewish communities in India, the oldest being the Cochin Jews, who arrived in India 2,500 years ago. The Bene Israel arrived in India 2,100 years ago and the Baghdadi Jews from Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan settled in Mumbai 250 years ago. More recently, the Bnei Menashe and Bene Ephriam have settled in small groups around India.

Most Indian Jews have made Aliyah to Israel – over 75,000! There are currently about 4,500 Jews in Mumbai, with 8 synagogues in the city. I will be working at the Jewish Community Center in Mumbai, run by the JDC, and take part in planning the classes for both children and adults, as well as youth group activities.