For Jews in India, Eight Decades of Building Joyful Jewish Community

For more than 80 years, JDC has focused on providing vital support to India's poorest Jews, developing tomorrow's Jewish leaders, and offering cultural enrichment.

November 13, 2024

The JDC-supported Evelyn Peters Jewish Community Center — the first and only JCC in India — proudly celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, drawing more than 100 Jewish community members to the Mumbai facility for fun, games, and food. The event was a chance to reflect on JDC’s unique role on the subcontinent, where roughly 4,500 Jews exist as a tiny minority in a city of 21 million and a country of 1.4 billion.

Photo: Khai Fest Chanukah celebration in Mumbai, India

For eight decades, JDC has focused on providing vital support to India’s poorest Jews, developing tomorrow’s Jewish leaders through programs like Jewish Youth Pioneers (JYP), the country’s only Jewish youth group, and offering Jewish educational enrichment through programs like Hebrew lessons and holiday celebrations. The community often gathers for unique festivals like Khai Fest, an annual talent show and fundraiser each Chanukah that supports Bayiti, JDC’s home for elderly Jews in India. It also organizes a Malida, a seder-like ceremony with prayer and sweets, to celebrate Tu B’Shvat in its special way.