Family Stories
The Hnamte Family
Mr. Simeon Hnamte, 34, and his wife Rivka, also 34, are members of the Bnei Menashe Jewish community in Mizoram. They have three sons: Yehuda, 10, Aviram, 8, and Osher, 4.
Simeon comes from a family with strong ties to Israel. His grandmother, Malka, made Aliyah over 20 years ago and lives in Kiryat Arba, while his aunt, Dina, made Aliyah in 2006 and resides in Afula. His mother, Devorah, 62, is already included in the first Bnei Menashe group set to make Aliyah after Pesach.
Simeon and his family are among the more established members of the Jewish community in the region. His grandparents were pioneers in founding the Jewish community in the village of Sihphir approximately 35 years ago. Today, Simeon serves as the chazan (Jewish prayer leader) of the Sihphir community and is deeply committed to religious life.
He currently supports his family by working in a mobile phone repair shop. With close relatives already in Israel, Simeon and his family are planning to make Aliyah as soon as their passports are ready.
The Pachuau Family
Yehoshua Pachuau, 46, and his wife, Leah, 41, reside in Sihphir and are devoted members of the Rodef Shalom community. He and Leah have four children: Eitan, 21, Leah, 19, Bat Sheva, 16, and Naomi, 7.
They have close family ties in Israel. Yehoshua’s brothers, Menakhem and Gerson, both made Aliyah in 2006 and currently live in Nof HaGalil. Due to ongoing issues with their Indian passports, Yehoshua and his family are unable to join the upcoming Aliyah flight following Pesach. Their passports are currently in process, and they will hopefully be ready for the next group.
Yehoshua formalized his commitment to Judaism by undergoing a brit milah (Jewish circumcision) in 2006. Despite significant challenges, including the instability of daily wage labor that often requires them to relocate for work, the family remains steadfast in their observance and dedication to Jewish life.
Their primary livelihood is farming, through which they manage to meet their basic needs. With many extended family members already living in Israel, Yehoshua and his family maintain a strong and enduring aspiration to make Aliyah and reunite with their spiritual homeland.
The Ralte Family
Itzkhak Ralte, 46, and his wife, Zelda, 40, live in Sihphir with their three children: Ruth, 19, Reuben, 17, and Yolina, 10.
Itzkhak has close family ties in Israel. His elder sister, Rina, made Aliyah over 20 years ago and lives in Nitzan. While Itzkhak and his family have not yet received their Indian passports, the process is currently underway, and they hope to obtain them in the coming months.
The Ralte family is known as a respectful and deeply observant household within their community. Long-time residents of Sihphir, they own their home and maintain a stable life. Itzkhak works as a bus driver, while Zelda contributes to the household by selling vegetables. In addition, the family owns garden land, which helps support their livelihood.
Following in the footsteps of his sister, Itzkhak has a strong and enduring desire to make Aliyah. He, Zelda, and their children are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to move to Israel and be reunited with their family.
