5.3. People

♤ Major waves of immigration of Jews from India to Israel took place in the 1950s and 1960s. There are approximately 85,000 Jews of Indian-origin in Israel. The majority is from Maharashtra (Bene Israelis) with relatively smaller numbers from Kerala (Cochini Jews) and Kolkata (Baghdadi Jews).

♤ In recent years, some Indian Jews from North Eastern states of India (Bnei Menashe) have been immigrating to Israel. While the older generation still maintains an Indian lifestyle and storng cultural links with India, the younger generation is more fully integrated into Israeli society. However, the Know India Programme, which provide Indian origin persons opportunities to visit India, have been received well by the younger generation of Indian jews.

♤ There are about 12,500 Indian citizens in Israel, of whom around 11,500 are care-givers. Others are diamond traders, some IT professionals, and students.