My recent study journey to India with the Jewish Federations of North America’s National Young Leadership Cabinet provided an opportunity to learn about the courage and perseverance of a rare group of people who battled hard to keep their Judaism despite great obstacles. It was also an occasion to consider the significance of tzedakah as a component of Jewish peoplehood, not only toward our own but also toward strangers.
The most common question I received when I informed people I was going on a mission to India was, “Are there really Jews in India?” I can respond yes, there are Jews in India after spending a very important 10 days in the country of 1.34 billion people. With only about 4,500 members, they take nothing for granted when it comes to their Judaism and struggle every day to ensure that it not only survives but thrives.
