From Manipur to Israel: A Bnei Menashe immigrant pays the highest price

Anyone who has followed my articles or my photos over the years knows that there’s a special place in my heart for the Bnei Menashe. I love the people, and I love sharing their personal stories, as well as the remarkable story of their community as a whole. I therefore would be remiss if I did not find the strength to share the story of First Sergeant Geri Gideon Hanghal, z”l, who was killed in a terror attack, and the first Bnei Menashe IDF soldier killed in the line of duty.

A little explanation: The Bnei Menashe claim descent from one of the 10 Lost Tribes of Israel, who were sent into exile more than 27 centuries ago. Despite their isolation from the rest of the Jewish world, they continued practicing Judaism as well as they could, always waiting and praying for their return to the land of their ancestors.

My connection with them began exactly 10 years ago, on my first day working at Shavei Israel, which exists for literally one reason — to strengthen the ties between the Jewish people, the State of Israel, and the descendants of Jews around the world. Shavei Israel provides a wide range of assistance to a variety of disenfranchised communities of Jewish descent. In the case of the Bnei Menashe of India, a major part of this assistance is helping them make the dream of aliyah possible.

Ten years ago, I was honored to visit the Bnei Menashe in northeast India, the place they have called home for the better part of the last three millennia. But it is for Israel that they long.

Back then, Gideon, his parents, brother, and three sisters were all living there in Manipur, waiting for their turn to make aliyah. Waiting, literally, to be added to a limited list via Israeli bureaucracy, and then waiting for the state to approve a limited Bnei Menashe aliyah, as they have done sporadically over the last two decades, unfair as that may seem.

Amazingly, Israel is the place that has always been central to the Bnei Menashe dreams. A place that no one in their recorded history had even seen, until several decades ago, and yet it remained dear to their hearts and souls.

For a 20-year-old Gideon, two of his older sisters and their parents, their dream came true back in 2020.

I was there throughout the process of their aliyah: greeting them at the airport, celebrating them at the arrival ceremony we made for them, and the subsequent post-conversion weddings and programs we made for them at our absorption center. I was taking pictures through it all.

Gideon z”l (left) hamming with some friends at the Shavei Israel absorption center in Nordiya on first day of conversion for this group of 250 Bnei Menashe who made aliyah on Hanukkah in 2020. [Laura Ben-David]

Like many of the Bnei Menashe young people, Gideon always dreamed of serving in the IDF. Even though he was already 20 when he made aliyah from India, Gideon insisted on joining a combat unit to defend the country, and pushed for the opportunity, not taking “no” for answer, and ultimately succeeding.

At Gideon’s military funeral at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, his commander spoke of Gideon’s love for Israel and how he had fulfilled that dream to enlist in a combat unit. But Gideon was more than just a soldier. His commander went on to explain that Gideon’s friends considered him the heart of their unit. He didn’t just join the army; he became an integral part of it. He was a brave soldier, a hero, and a friend.

My colleague, Tzvi Khaute, gave a passionate, powerful eulogy emphasizing that the Bnei Menashe are part and parcel of the people of Israel and how 80 percent of Gideon’s four years in Israel were spent in the defense of the country and its people because of the deep commitment of the Bnei Menashe. For 2,700 years, the Bnei Menashe have not forgotten Israel. Is Israel forgetting the Bnei Menashe?

Tzvi Khaute, director of Bnei Menashe services at Shavei Israel, delivered a fiery eulogy praising Gideon, and demanding Israel restart the stalled Bnei Menashe aliyah. [Laura Ben-David]

How is it that the Bnei Menashe are Jewish enough to be brought on aliyah, Jewish enough to serve and die for the country, and yet not quite Jewish enough for Israel to finish the job and bring them all home? Many Bnei Menashe families are split up for years, even decades, waiting to be reunited, and then hoping they will be on the list — because Israel decides on a new Bnei Menashe aliyah quota each time it approves visas.

First Sergeant Geri Gideon Hanghal, z”l, died protecting the State of Israel, and the people of Israel. Maybe this will serve as a wake-up call for Israel to finally do the right thing for the Bnei Menashe. Perhaps Israel can honor Gideon’s ultimate sacrifice and extend a full-hearted embrace to the Bnei Menashe once and for all. It is the least the Jewish state can do.

May Gideon’s family and friends find comfort and may his memory truly be a blessing.

Sign that went up in Gideon’s hometown in Manipur, India, where there is great mourning. [Courtesy]

Soldiers assigned to the family comfort Gideon’s sister. [Laura Ben-David]

After the eulogies, the crowds of people all pushed forward to come close to Gideon’s grave to pay their respects. [Laura Ben-David]

Bereft crowds of Bnei Menashe filled every spot around the funeral tent, there to pay their respects to Gideon. [Laura Ben-David]

Gideon’s father Yitzchak eulogized his son in Kuki. There was no need to understand the words; everyone could read the pain in his face and expression. [Laura Ben-David]

[Laura Ben-David]

Ronen Plaut, mayor of Nof Hagalil, who, along with his whole city, was deeply affected by the loss of Gideon. Plaut pledged to absorb the remaining 5,000 Bnei Menashe should Israel do what they must and finally bring them all. [Laura Ben-David]

[Laura Ben-David]

Former MK Moti Yogev who works tirelessly on behalf of the Bnei Menashe. [Laura Ben-David]

[Laura Ben-David]