Telugu Jews

[kakatiya]

EXPERIMENTAL FILMS

In unreleased comedy film by the Telugu Jews of Andhra lies hope of a visit to their ‘promised land

The Bene Ephraim community of Andhra Pradesh have tried to uphold Hebrew customs and want to see Israel once.

[kakatiya]

7MB

In a small village in Guntur, the land of chillies and tobacco, a unique local community set to work at shooting a film. The initial idea was to craft a comedy flick in Telugu; hiring locals as actors. Along the way, the outcome was a story about the actors themselves. For they were all Jewish, members of the small Bene Ephraim community of Andhra Pradesh.

[xano917]

Movierulz lo undha . Interesting subject 

[kakatiya]

The history of the Jews in India encompasses many migrations. Some arrived in Goa during the Portuguese and Spanish inquisitions, others came here many centuries earlier to Kerala. But one community claims an even older heritage – descent from the ten lost tribes of Israel. The Bnei Menashe, of India’s Northeastern states, claim descent from a Hmar figure named Manmasi, who they believe was none other than Manasseh, the son of Jacob.

[kakatiya]

Nearly 3,000 kilometres South West from Manipur, the Guntur Jews believe their ancestors left the Assyrian empire around 722 BC. For centuries, they wandered between Iran, Kashmir and Varanasi, before settling in Andhra Pradesh around 1100 AD. When you walk into Guntur, many locals are completely unaware of this community’s existence – believing them to be Madiga Christians.

Sadok Yakob is a community leader in Chebrolu. Photo credit: 7MB

Speaking to the Madras Courier, Sadok Yacobi, the leader of the Jewish community in Guntur, explains why this came about: “The Telangana people call us Madiga. Why did the government record us as Madiga? Why not write something else? Because someone told us that you eat beef like the Madigas, and because of that we include you in that caste.”

The Madigas are Dalits; traditional crafters of drums, slippers and employed with disposing of the bodies of the dead. The Bnei Ephraim were seen as Christian and sometimes treated as untouchables. But in the post-independence era, Yacob’s father visited Israel – and was struck by the similarities between the Jews there and the customs of his community back at home.

[kakatiya]

When asked if they had their own burial ground, he replied: “No, we will be buried with the Madiga burial ground. But we have a separate side on it. The difference is that we write Hebrew words on our tombstones.

A Jewish tombstone at Chebrolu. Photo credit: 7MB

The saga of the Telugu-speaking Jews is far from over. The children of the Bene Ephraim will know fluent Hebrew, giving them a rare insight into the language of Israel and the holy scriptures. For now, the Bene Ephraim are happy in their homeland, where they have been for centuries.

[kakatiya]

Prayers are written in Hebrew and read aloud in Telugu. Pictured is Ephraim, a former community leader. Photo credit: 7MB

In the last decade, many rabbis from Israel and around the world have visited the small Jewish community in Guntur. To Orthodox Jews, the Bene Ephraim’s practises are not exactly as they should be. But the community has been trying. They no longer work on Saturdays and celebrate many Jewish festivals. Their children study Hebrew and prayers are read out twice – in Hebrew and in Telugu – so the illiterate members of the community can also partake in the message.

Photo credit: 7MB

[TokyoJaani]

It’s Jagan Anna Property. Touch chesi choodu. 

[Anta Assamey]

Interesting ....

[Beardman]

Our parents society doesnt know about other religions , and the superior caste called them madigas, malas, mleccha.

 

now the time has come to expose the truth

[redsox]

When did they even come to India?

[chittimallu_14]

interesting.. I thought jews lo conversions undav ani... how come these people are jews? okapudu India lo jews ekkada unnaru, if they are like any other converted christian or peacefuls... veellani accept chesthara actual jews?

 

[Chinna84]

2 minutes ago, chittimallu_14 said:

interesting.. I thought jews lo conversions undav ani... how come these people are jews? okapudu India lo jews ekkada unnaru, if they are like any other converted christian or peacefuls... veellani accept chesthara actual jews?

 

Maa friend okadunnaadu, Christians but vaadu memu jews, Israël vaallamu ani chebuthuntaadu - idhi 9th or 10th class lo cheppevaadu, asalu idea kuda ledhu aa age lo .. 

I think he still follows Jews religion only..

[bhaigan]

 interesting

[chittimallu_14]

2 minutes ago, Chinna84 said:

Maa friend okadunnaadu, Christians but vaadu memu jews, Israël vaallamu ani chebuthuntaadu - idhi 9th or 10th class lo cheppevaadu, asalu idea kuda ledhu aa age lo .. 

I think he still follows Jews religion only..

Jews wont accept converted people ... I think mother should be a jew to consider the kids to be a jew anukunta... something like that untundi very strict rule... im not 100% sure about that