AIZAWL: At least 7,500 Mizo Jews from Mizoram and Manipur will migrate to Israel, which they refer to as their Promised Land, this year.
"Preparations for a mass migration to the Promised Land are on. The lost tribes from the northeast will go to Israel in the later half this year after their peers from South America migrate to that country," said Jeremiah Hnamte, one of the leaders of the Aizawl-based Bnei Menashe, a community that claims to be descendants of one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel who were sent into exile by the Assyrian Empire over 2700 years ago.
While most of the Bnei Menashes, who would migrate to Israel this time, are from Manipur, a litlle less than 3,000 will be from Mizoram. Hnamte, whos owns the premises where the 'Mikveh' or a pond for Jewish Spiritual bath is situated in the Zuangtui Industrial Estate near Aizawl, said the Bnei Menashes would only be formally converted to Judaism after they reach Israel.
