Esther David, a Sahitya Akademi Award-winning artist, has released a new book that depicts Jewish life in India. She describes the culinary customs of this little society, whose 5,000 members live in isolated enclaves around the country. In India, the Jewish community makes up a tiny yet important fraction of the population. In India, there are around 5,000 Jews and five Jewish populations, although their numbers are rapidly dwindling.
Esther David investigates the lifestyle and cuisine of Indian Jews in every region, from the Bene Israelis of western India to the Bene Menashes of the Northeast, the Bene Ephraims of Andhra Pradesh, the Baghdadi Jews of Kolkata, and the Kochi Jews attracted by the common thread that connects them as a whole despite their presence in various parts of the country. While they all follow the strict Jewish dietary guidelines, she discovers that they have altered the local cuisine. Some have even converted to vegetarianism! Bene Appetit is a comprehensive look at a little-known village, along with endearing anecdotes and delectable cuisine.
