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Bnei Menashe Arrive in Israel
Photo: Yaron Brenner
Bnei Menashe jam session
After just two weeks in Israel, musical group from lost Bnei Menashe tribe to appear on stage
Only two weeks have elapsed since 50 members of the Bnei Menashe tribe made aliyah from the eastern Indian states of Manipur and Mizoram, and they are ready to perform at the Nazareth Illit municipal community center.
The mayor of Nazareth Illit, Menachem Ariav, who discovered the musical group after hearing it sing at a reception held for new immigrants, believes they have a bright future. He even coined a name for the group: "The Mizo Six," as it comprises six singers and Mizo is their mother tongue.
The lead singer, Boaz Boitlong, has already released a disk in India.
Ray Shalem, who made aliyah from India ten years ago and who is currently coaching the new immigrants, said the group is very talented.
"The group will perform in English, Hebrew and Hindi. They have excellent voices and great talent, and are just as good as Israeli singers. They practice everyday and are beginning to collect materials for their performance."
Fani Grobman, the director of the Jewish Agency's absorption center in Nazareth Elite added that the group has fantastic potential.
