Amid the rumbling vibrancy of Mumbai, a metropolis of round 27 million inside a rustic of almost 1.5 billion, lies my small but mighty group the place everybody is aware of one another. We benefit from the on a regular basis treasures of our Indian tradition, from Bollywood dancing to savory meals. A lot of our buddies and neighbors have fun Diwali in all its richness and spirit, and we, too, have fun a competition of lights. It simply occurs a number of weeks later and is named Chanukah.
The Jewish group in India, concentrated primarily inside Mumbai, contains roughly 4,500 individuals, with the primary Jews having arrived in southern India across the tenth century BCE. In the present day, we might be discovered all through the nation and characterize homegrown traditions, akin to these of my household, the Bene Israel, in addition to the Cochini Jews within the Kochi area and people whose ancestors hail from the Sefardi Jews of Baghdad. And as vibrant a group as now we have, most individuals most likely wouldn’t have even guessed that we’re right here.
Indian Jews have all the time been a tiny group, however realizing we’re a part of a worldwide Jewish household unfold throughout continents but linked by custom, values and shared historical past offers us a profound sense of belonging.
Our Jewish identities are inextricably linked with our nationwide tradition; they’re complementary identities, not conflicting ones. Our neighbors not solely perceive and recognize this reality, however they’re additionally supportive of it.
Sadly, within the world panorama, tales of native Jewish communities previous and current are sometimes led with the tales of the antisemitism they face. Ours is a special one.
Our group is basically unscathed by antisemitism and has existed right here for hundreds of years, absolutely built-in as Indians and Jews. Nevertheless, the worldwide surge in antisemitism has discovered its method to social media. Some teenagers in our group face bullying and harassment. What we’re seeing on-line isn’t distinctive to the Jewish individuals, however we do have distinctive methods of expressing our Jewishness.
When greater than 200 of us collect for our annual Hanukkah occasion, in a historic theater outdoors of the Jewish group in Mumbai, it’s a celebration in its purest type and demonstrates how built-in we’re in Indian life. For the previous 25 years, we’ve held “Khai Fest,” which interprets to a “competition of life.” Right here, the multi-layered vibrancy of our group is on full show. From Bollywood dancing, conventional meals like masala chai and fried desserts, stand-up comedy, and lighting menorahs, there isn’t a scarcity of pleasure and delight.
Considered one of my favourite vacation recollections is that of the grins on the faces of kids as they proudly carried handmade menorahs dwelling after the Khai Fest. Teenagers and younger adults taking part in an area youth volunteer program took turns working with the kids to craft the menorahs, passing on our cherished traditions and Hanukkah’s miracle of accelerating holiness and light-weight in our world. This can be a joyful testomony to my group’s work to construct bridges throughout generations with creativity and goal.
This time final 12 months, like many Jews world wide, we took a solemn second of silence to hope for the hostages and their protected return. This 12 months, our prayers had been answered. Whereas there’s nonetheless a lot work left to do, creating house for happiness and celebration is an important a part of the therapeutic course of. And thru this patchwork of feelings, our small group feels linked with our Jewish brothers and sisters across the globe, together with our household and buddies in Israel. Over the previous two years, even our happiest group occasions and celebrations had been quietly marked by reflective moments.
This 12 months, we’re mourning the gorgeous souls misplaced in Sydney, whose lives had been violently taken whereas celebrating Hanukkah. The Indian Jewish group stands in solidarity with our fellow Jews in Australia, realizing that any efforts to dim our mild require us to glow even brighter.
Khai Fest is a reminder that India makes room for us – our tales, our rituals, our lights. In a world that always fails to have fun minority identities, ours continues to shine not despite our environment, however due to them.
This Hanukkah, I hope individuals world wide take a second to note the communities hidden in plain sight, like mine. Our lights could also be fewer in quantity and dimension, however they burn brightly all the identical. Our story isn’t one in every of survival, however of belonging. That, too, is a competition of lights price celebrating.
is senior supervisor of the Evelyn Peters Jewish Neighborhood Middle in Mumbai.
The views and opinions expressed on this article are these of the writer and don’t essentially mirror the views of JTA or its dad or mum firm, 70 Faces Media.
