Members of the Jewish-Indian Bene Israel group are keen to share their Malida ceremonies and traditions with other Israelis, and they’ll be doing so this year via Zoom.
This week, Indian-origin Israelis have been busy preparing for the annual Malida festivities, which will take place on January 27-28. Due to the closing of the country and the prohibition of family gatherings, celebrations are being relegated to Zoom and other virtual meeting sites. Despite this, the community refuses to give up the joy that these events are known for, as well as the increasingly popular festivals in Israel.
The Bene, Cochin, and Baghdadi communities in Israel make form the Jewish Indian community in Israel. The Malida ceremony is also conducted on other family events, but only once a year, on Tu Bishvat, the Jewish Arbor Day, which is observed by Jews all around the world. A dozen Jewish men and women from ancient Israel were shipwrecked off the west coast of ancient India, according to the Bene Israel community, on this day of Tu Bishvat hundreds of years ago. The survivors, fearful for their life, appealed to the Prophet Elijah and were saved. Indian Jews commemorate the Malida in remembrance and gratitude for that occurrence. They regard the prophet as a guardian of both individuals and communities.
