WAR AND PEACE

Jews of Indian origin in Israel advocate harmonious coexistence with neighbours of different faiths

- NAMRATA BIJI AHUJA

NEVATIM, AN idyllic moshav (cooperative agricultural settlement) dominated by Cochin Jews located on Israel's border with Gaza, was recently called the "living bridge between the two most ancient civilisations" by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The first Indian Jewish Heritage Centre in Israel is coming up in Nevatim, which is expected to be a meeting point for Indian Jews in Israel, numbering around a lakh. Indian Jews comprise diverse communities such as the Arabic speaking Baghdadi Jews with roots in Mumbai and Kolkata, Cochin Jews from Kerala, Bene Israel from Maharashtra and B'nei Menashe from Manipur and Mizoram.

Established in 1946 along with 10 other villages in the Negev desert as part of an initiative to create a barrier separating Israel from Egypt and Gaza, Nevatim continues to play a pivotal role following the recent upsurge in violence. As the conflict intensifies, trapped inside the moshav are families of Cochin Jews even as they pray for peace at their beautiful synagogue, adorned with relics from their hometown, located in a green compound where neem, tulsi and ashwagandha grow.