On Tuesday, December 20th, Be’chol Lashon was happy to join our friend and frequent contributor Eddna Samuel for a Hanukkah celebration in the Indian-Jewish tradition. The event was hosted at the Consulate General of India in New York by Consul General Randhir Jaiswal. Eddna was born in India and made Aliya (a new immigrant) to Israel in recent years. She and her husband, B. Jonathan Miller, the Deputy Permanent Representative of the Israeli mission at the United Nations, lit candles to usher in the third night of Hanukkah and to highlight the strong ties between India and world Jewry.

Consulate General of India in New York by Consul General Randhir Jaiswal (right) Eddna Samuel (center) and B. Jonathan Miller Deputy Permanent Representative of the Israeli mission at the United Nations (left) light the Hanukkah candles.
©Bechol Lashon 2022
Photo by Julian Voloj

India is home to one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world. Through the generations, Jews have been welcomed in India and lived peacefully with their neighbors.

Nissim B. Reuben, also an Indian Jew and the Assistant Director of the American Jewish Committee in D.C., helped plan the event. The gathering has been running since 2009, but was paused during the height of the COVID pandemic. Participants agreed that it was wonderful to be able to gather again in person and to see the positive connections made between people. Connecting across religious and cultural differences is a lifelong passion for Eddna.

Julian and Eddna © Bechol Lashon 2022 Photo by Lisa Keys

Julian Voloj, the Chief Operating Officer of Be’chol Lashon, attended the event and was glad to be part of this festive tradition. “It is wonderful to see the global nature of Jewish life being celebrated during this holiday season. The Indian Jewish story is a vital part of our global Jewish narrative. I am so honored to represent Be’chol Lashon at this joyful gathering.”