The Shavei Israel organization has sent a large shipment of lulavs and etrogs for the Sukkot holiday to members of the Bnei Menashe tribe in India.
The Bnei Menashe (Sons of Manasseh) claim descent from the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. In recent years, Shavei Israel has brought some 1,500 Bnei Menashe to Zion, including 450 in the past three years who settled in the Upper Galilee. Another 7,000 still remain in India, waiting to come to Israel.
“The Bnei Menashe are anxiously waiting for Israel's government to pass a decision to allow them to come home,” said Shavei Israel Chairman and Founder, Michael Freund. ”We hope the New Year will bring good news and that the dream of the Bnei Menashe to come to Israel will soon become a reality”.