Jews in India arrived during the time of the Kingdom of Judah, others are seen by some as descendants of Israel's

mythical Ten Lost Tribes. Indian Jews are minority religion in India. Judaism was one of the first foreign religions to arrive in India in recorded history, around 72CE. They have been part of the courts of Kings and even advisors to Kings. Jews have flourished in India perhaps for 2,000 years, although only around 6,000 remain today as many Jews have migrated to Israel after its formation in 1948. There are 3 communities of Jews in India: Cochin Jews: They date themselves to be the first Jews in India, around 2000 years ago. From the 11th century they have lived as spice merchants, soldiers, agriculturalists and shipbuilders. The Cochin synagogue is not only the most famous in British Commonwealth but one of the most beautiful in the world. Nowhere has Jewish Culture flourished so long with freedom. Bene Israel of Bombay are the lost Jews who were recognized by the 12th century David Rahabi. Their religious evolution from oil-pressers into an accepted group in world jewry is miraculous and inspiring. They have been prominent in arts and government service in Bombay. The "Baghdadi" Jews were middle eastern merchants, many Iraqi but many also Syrian, Turkish and Persian, who came to India about the same time as did the British. They flourished, and left when the British left - for the most part. But they left their marks, in Calcutta and Pune, but most of all in Bombay, where they built schools, hospitals, libraries, monuments, synagogues, docks and factories. Another Jewish center is Calcutta. There is also a fourth type of Jews Manipur Jews In east India in the States of Manipur and Mizoram exists a community called the Manipur Jews which sees itself as descendants of the Manasseh (Menashe) Tribe (one of the 10 lost tribes of Jews). Among the Manipur Jews there are some who believe that all the Manipur and Mizoram residents (about 2 million people) are originally from the Manasseh tribe. In 2005 Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar, one of Israels two chief rabbis, recognized the Bnei Menashe community as descendants of one of the lost tribes of Israel. Indian Jews no longer use Hebrew. They use Indian Languages for all usage, even in religious gatherings. Jewish dance is to express joy and is mostly done at weddings. Their dance has no particular name, but involves a intricate leg work and hand movements. In religious communities, opposite sexes cannot dance with each other. Indian Jews celebrate many or all of the festivals celebrated by Jews all over. Passover is celebrated to commemorate the formation of Israel. The feast of Tabernacle is another pilgrim festival falling in either September or October. During this feast, Jews set temporary booths

covered with palm leaves and decorated with citrus and other fruits. The Hannukka or the festival of lights is another popular celebration of the Jews. Even though Jews dont have a caste system, they were perceived through the Hindu Caste System. The Cochin Jews had different status while the Bombay Jews had another. The Bene Israel Jews were originally oil-pressers, thus they were accommodated into the oil-pressing caste of Hinduism, which is the Sudra level. The Cochin Jews have a higher status as they are business class. Moreover, they have even ruled a small principality. The Baghdadi Jews are much stricter about religious Jewish law then the Bene Israel. They believe themselves to be of a higher caste/class and refuse to have anything to do with the Bene Israel Jews. They refuse to take food from them, marry children to Bene Israeli members; they dont mingle with the Bene Israeli. They even perceive the Bene Israeli to be impure. Many believe that these relations have risen due to the influence of the Indian Caste System. Famous Indian Jew: Nissin Ezekiel India is the only country in the world where there has never been an indigenous anti-Semitism.