There was great excitement as recent immigrants to Israel from the Bnei Menashe (sons of Manasseh) community in India got to celebrate Chanukah in Israel for the first time.
The latest group of Bnei Menashe came to Israel last summer after yearning for so many years to reach the Holy Land.
A grand celebration was held by OU Israel featuring a band of Bnei Menashe from Tiberias who sang a mix of Chanukah songs.
There are still 7,000 Bnei Menashe who reside in India and they all desire to return home to Israel.
The Bnei Menashe claim to be descendants from one of the ten lost tribes of Israel, sent into exile by the Assyrian Empire more than 27 centuries ago.
