About Bnei Menashe
A 2,000-Year Journey Home
For over two millennia, the Bnei Menashe have carried a flame of faith in the remote hills of Northeast India. Descendants of the Kuki-Chin and Mizo groups along the India-Myanmar border, they have long maintained oral traditions tracing their lineage back to the ancient Tribe of Menashe, one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. Despite centuries of profound isolation, the community preserved the core of Jewish life. Since the 1970s, their connection to the State of Israel has intensified, marking the beginning of a historic return that you are now a vital part of witnessing.
Closing the Circle
While approximately 4,000 Bnei Menashe have already fulfilled their dreams of Aliyah over the last three decades, 6,000 community members remain in India, waiting for their turn to come home.
A Strategic Five-Year Plan
The Jewish Agency, in close coordination with the Government of Israel, has launched a comprehensive five-year plan to complete the Aliyah of the entire remaining community. The objective is to bring 1,200 Olim to Israel annually, divided into two carefully managed cohorts of about 600 people each. A central pillar of this strategy is immediate family reunification, prioritizing the healing of fractured households by bringing together parents, children, and siblings who have been separated by geography for years.
*This effort also advances a critical national mission: ensuring the full integration of the community while helping strengthen and revitalize northern Israel, an essential priority for Israel’s resilience and long-term future.*
Leading the Operation
For the first time, The Jewish Agency is leading and coordinating the entire operation, from the initial field screenings in India to long-term settlement in Israel. This massive logistical undertaking begins with Rabbinical delegations, the largest ever sent to the community, who conduct thousands of interviews to verify Jewish lineage. Our teams work tirelessly on the ground to prepare hundreds of files, manage complex transport logistics from remote villages, and facilitate the issuance of passports and visas.
The Journey of a Lifetime
The journey you are accompanying today is the culmination of years of preparation and deep longing. For many Bnei Menashe, the path to Israel begins with a 15-hour overland journey just to reach the central interview points. From there, they will fly to Delhi to board a charter flight directly to Israel. This flight represents more than just physical transit; it is the final bridge between an ancient past in exile and a vibrant future in the Land of Israel.
A Foundation for Integration
The Jewish Agency’s commitment does not end upon arrival. We operate dedicated absorption centers in northern Israel, specifically in Kiryat Yam and Nof HaGalil, tailored to meet the unique needs of the Bnei Menashe. For their first six months, Olim receive intensive support, including five-day-a-week Ulpan (Hebrew) classes, formal conversion processes, and comprehensive welfare and employment training. Supported by a $38 million government commitment and the generosity of partners and donors like you, this effort ensures that every Bnei Menashe family has the tools they need to flourish as proud Israeli citizens.
About The Jewish Agency for Israel
The Jewish Agency strengthens Israel and the Jewish people worldwide by facilitating Aliyah, connecting Jewish communities, and mobilizing support in times of need. In Israel, particularly in the aftermath of October 7 and the ensuing wars, it supports affected individuals, communities, and businesses while helping rebuild and strengthen society. Around the world, The Jewish Agency works to ensure that Jews everywhere feel connected, secure, and supported, fostering a vibrant and resilient global Jewish future.