Thousands of Indian-origin Jews from all four major communities descended on Israeli city, Petah Tikvah, on Thursday evening to participate in the sixth national convention of Indian Jews, celebrating the occasion with a whole range of cultural displays, including food, music, dance, cultural exhibits, yoga workshop, etc.
The enthusiasm in the community was such that the allotted number of registrations was filled up within a few days after the event was announced.
There are about 85,000 Jews of Indian origin living in Israel who continue to maintain their distinct cultural practices. The national convention of the Indian Jews in Israel also helps display a part of the Indian diversity with Bene Israel coming predominantly from the Maharashtra region, the Baghdadis from the Kolkata area, Cochinis from Kerala, and the Bnei Menashe from Manipur and Mizoram.
The community organised the event with the active support of the Indian mission in Israel and the municipality of Petah Tikva which was very generous in providing the necessary support for the event.
Rami Greenberg, the Mayor of Petah Tikva, applauded the role of the Indian Jewish community in Israel saying "they have contributed to the development of the country in every possible way. It also includes the strong strategic relations Israel has with India in the field of defence, polity and economy".
Well-known Israeli singer of Indian origin, Liora Itzhak, who has had a brief association with Bollywood and sang the national anthems of both countries during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel in 2017, also enthralled the crowd with some popular Hindi songs.
Several local artists, mainly from the Indian Jewish community, performed on stage.