Gene links Telugu Jews to lost tribe

Guntur, Jan. 31: A research scholar in London has endorsed the claims of a group of people in this district who say they are of Jewish ancestry. The scholar, Ms Yulia, had visited the community in the tiny village of Kothareddypalem, 17 km from here, along with Prof. Tudor Parfitt, an expert in Jewish studies, some years ago.

The two took DNA samples from the community and Ms Yulia also studied their social practices and took note of the fact that they observed the Sabbath regularly. Sadok Yacobi, the leader of the community, said he had recently received a communication from Ms Yulia endorsing the sect's claim that they belong to the Ephraim tribe. There are about 50 families in the community.

The community claims it was one of the 12 ancient Jewish tribes who were in search of the Promised Land with Moses. The Old Testament says the tribes were scattered all over the world. Another community living in Manipur has been identified as belonging to the Menashe tribe, considered to be cousins of the Ephraim sect. They have been welcomed back to Israel. However, the community in Guntur is yet to be officially recognised.

The families originally belonged to the Madiga community. After discovering their Jewish ancestry, Samuel Sundararaju and Deva Prasad changed their names to Shamuel Yacobi and Sadok Yacobi and became the leaders of the group. The DNA test could not prove much and Ms Yulia has also said that though the group could be termed Jews, they had been alienated from their identity.

Despite this, her overall perception is that the community belonged to a Jewish tribe.
During the early 1990s, Rabbi E. Avihail also visited the area to observe the lifestyle of the community. When this correspondent visited the village, Mr Sadok Yacobi said the families were happy that the scholar had recognised them as Jews. Our realisation was not intuitive, he said. It is a truth we have known for generations.
His scholar brother, Mr Shamuel Yacobi, who had authored a book on Judaism in Andhra Pradesh, had been trying hard for years to induce Jewish practices among the community.

However, the community is not sure whether the much-anticipated 'Aylia', or homecoming, will be fulfilled through the recognition of scholars. Miriam, named after the sister of Moses, said Israel had a statutory programme known as 'Ulphan' for embracing aliens to the Jewish tradition. Our cousins, the Menashe tribe of the Northeast, undertook the training programme, she said.

Mr Sadok Yacobi added that an awareness programme had been scheduled to enrich the community with Jewish spirituality and ways of life. A rabbi from Yeshiva University of the US will be arriving to preach to our group soon, he said. Itzhac Korahi, a daily wager and a member of the community, asserted that their desire to be known as Jews had no materialistic dimensions. We could have gained quite a lot through Christian ministries, he said, adding, but despite hardships, we have been following Jewish traditions without any regrets.

For many community members their Jewish destiny is irrevocable. Moses had prophesied the reunion of the sons of Abraham, said Abraham Matanya, alias Mahima Das, a lorry driver. We are awaiting that moment.

Threats by certain Islamic groups do not daunt them. Poleramma, who has changed her name to Isterah, said the community did not crave for better living conditions or money. We turn to the direction of the Wailing Wall and pray to Elohim, the Living God, she said, adding, If he decides to wipe us off the face of the earth, we are ready for that too.

Courtesy: Deccan Chronicle