PROJECTS

1. Inca Jews' Education, Conversion and Immigration
2. Benei Menashe Community Center
3. World Jewish Book Project

1. Inca Jews' Education, Conversion and Immigration
The "Inca Jews" practiced Judaism for over a decade without formal recognition. Their strict observance of Jewish law made their lives in Peru very difficult. They would not work on Shabbat or Jewish festivals, so they could not obtain decent jobs. The women could only practice Jewish ritual purity under less-than-safe circumstances at public beaches and rivers, because the community did not have access to a mikvah. Children were humiliated and physically punished when they refused to say Catholic prayers in school. In fall 2001, President Bryan Schwartz and Director Robert Lande committed themselves to assisting the "Inca Jews" in their efforts to convert to Judaism. Check out Bryan's article in the Jewish Bulletin of Northern California, "Peruvian Jews given glimmer of hope to make aliyah" (October 26, 2001). After a concerted fundraising effort, a panel of rabbis came from Israel and in November 2001, converted approximately 84 of the Peruvians, who immigrated to Israel in early 2002. As many as 180 members of this Peruvian community were not converted in fall 2001. ["In Peru, descendants of Incas are trying to convert to Judaism" (January 31, 2002)]. Emissaries of Israel's Chief Rabbi announced that they would travel to Peru to convert another group in early 2005. Working with a group in Israel called Shavei Israel, Scattered Among the Nations helped ensure that the Peruvians received proper Jewish training to allow them to succeed in their goal of conversion. Then, Scattered Among the Nations financed again the costs of the conversion process. The vast majority of the remaining Inca Jews in Peru were converted in early 2005, and ready to emigrate to Israel in summer 2005. Without Scattered Among the Nations' support, this success would not have been possible. With the generous support of Scattered Among the Nations and its members, approximately 250 Inca Jews will be living soon Israel, a fully-integrated part of the world Jewish community. However, the job is not done -- dozens of Peruvians are waiting in Peru for arrangements to be finalized for their arrival in Israel by Israel's Interior Ministry, which is seeking $15,000 to outfit the Peruvians' new homes in Israel. You can also help with their transition in Israel, e.g., buying costly religious articles. Approximate Need: $20,000.

If you would like to help the Inca Jews in Israel, contact Bryan Schwartz today.

2. Benei Menashe Community Center:
In the hills straddling the border between India and Myanmar live several tribes who believe they spring from a common ancestor: Menashe, son of the Biblical Joseph. The Benei Menashe, or "children of Menashe," have many traditions and stories which they believe link them to this Lost Tribe of Israel. In recent decades, the Benei Menashe began adopting Orthodox Jewish practices. Today, nearly 5,000 members of the Benei Menashe fill makeshift synagogues in over a dozen villages throughout the region. Outside the town of Buolzol, near Churachandpur in southern Manipur, a northeastern Indian state, 70 poor, religious Benei Menashe built a new Jewish village with its own, cozy mud and bamboo synagogue on a hill. They named the new community "Petach Tikvah," which means "door of hope" in Hebrew. Now the Benei Menashe Council in India hopes to erect a community center and synagogue in Imphal, the capital of Manipur, northeastern India. Until now, the community leadership has had to meet on one rented floor of a building over a small grocery store. On holidays, the Imphal Benei Menashe crowd into a one-room, temporary prayer hall. Without autonomy, the community is subjected to regular blackmail from corrupt local officials. Simply put: they need a place of their own. Scattered Among the Nations is committed to helping the Benei Menashe to construct this facility in Imphal. Approximate Need: $100,000.

If you would like to help the Benei Menashe build their Jewish home, email Bryan Schwartz.

3. World Jewish Book Project:

Many Scattered Among the Nations communities crave a Jewish education, above all else, but do not have the resources to hire Jewish teachers or purchase Jewish books. Frequently, communities use care-worn photocopies of photocopies of Jewish books they once borrowed from a library in the nearest big city. Many communities can read Hebrew and English, some prefer Hebrew and Spanish or Hebrew and Russian.

If you would like to donate books to scattered Jewish communities, e-mail Abby Porth.

Scattered Among the Nations, EIN 41-2024401, is a registered, 501c3, non-profit corporation. All dues and donations are tax-deductible.