January 15, 2018, 6:00 PM
The Festival will be a cultural celebration of all things Bene-Israeli, both past, and present.
This month of January appears to be the festival season in Mumbai. Aside from the Mumbai Shopping Festival, the Bene Israeli Jews – a small but historic Jewish community deeply rooted in Indian culture – are preparing to launch the first-ever International Festival of Bene Israelis in Mumbai today. The Festival will be a cultural celebration of all things Bene-Israeli, both past, and present. “A lot of action is scheduled, from celebrating our culture through reviving our rituals and customs, to experiencing traditional Bene Israeli cuisine to a showcase of Indian folk dances – ‘Incredible India Dance Showcase,’ from felicitation of the Friends of Jews in India to felicitating members of the international and Indian community,” says Lebana Penkar, secretary, International Orphanage (IOBI). This festival also attempts to strengthen cultural relations between Indian and Israeli citizens, both those who are members of the Bene Israeli community and those who are not. Such occasions also promote increased travel between the two countries. It’s a way to link youth to their roots while also facilitating cross-country interactions. The visit of Israel’s Prime Minister to Mumbai in the coming days brings optimism and promise for India’s Jewish population. The increased connection will stimulate more business and leisure travel between the two countries.
