First Prayer Book in Kuki and Mizo Languages Published in Israel
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
A prayer book in the Kuki and Mizo languages has been published in Nof HaGalil for the Bnei Menashe immigrant community. The initiative was launched after Mayor Ronen Plot learned of the community's need for prayer books in their native tongues. The publication aims to help the immigrants better connect with Jewish tradition and synagogue services in Israel. The Bnei Menashe are descendants of the Israelite tribe of Manasseh.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A prayer book in Kuki and Mizo languages was published in Nof HaGalil for the Bnei Menashe community.
- The initiative was spurred by a meeting between Mayor Ronen Plot and Bnei Menashe immigrants.
- The immigrants requested prayer books to better follow services and understand liturgy in Israel.
- The Bnei Menashe are descendants of the Israelite tribe of Manasseh, exiled over 3,000 years ago.
- The Kuki language is spoken by the community in northeastern India.
A prayer book in the Kuki and Mizo languages, intended for the Bnei Menashe community, has been published in the city of Nof HaGalil. The initiative began when Mayor Ronen Plot met with immigrants from the Bnei Menashe community shortly before Rosh Hashanah. The immigrants expressed a need for prayer books in their native languages to help them follow prayers in Israeli synagogues and understand the liturgy.
Mayor Plot immediately decided to support the request and tasked the Chairman of the Religious Council, Rabbi Amnon Cohen, and the Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Nachshon, with overseeing the translation and publication. The newly published prayer book marks the first time such a text has been available in Kuki and Mizo.
A celebratory event was held at the mayor's office, where the prayer books were distributed to community representatives. Attendees included the Chief Rabbi, the Chairman of the Religious Council, and deputy mayors. The Bnei Menashe are descendants of the tribe of Manasseh, one of the ten lost tribes exiled from Israel over 3,000 years ago by the Assyrian king. The Kuki language and its dialects are spoken in northeastern India, where most of the Bnei Menashe community resides.
Rabbi Amnon Cohen noted that the new immigrants are diligent in attending synagogues and integrating into the local religious community.