Rabbis look for lost flock

[newyorican]

An exodus from the Promised Land has left Jewish religious leaders worried.

Israeli youths, fresh out of their three-year mandatory army service, are leaving their strife-torn country and reaching India in droves in search of peace.

More than 10,000 men and women make their way towards places like Manali, Dharamshala and Kasauli every year where they find peace in Hinduism, nature, and, sometimes, drugs. Many marry locals, convert to Hinduism and cut off all contact with family in Israel.

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Cases of intermarriage are a major cause of concern for Jewish religious leaders. "I have heard of cases of Jews marrying locals and converting to Hinduism. This is not a healthy development for a Jewish state like Israel. Religious courts back home will not recognise such marriages," said Barcuh.

But that doesn't matter much to an Israeli fresh out of Army service. "If I marry an Indian girl our children will not be recognised as Jewish. But we can at least live a good and peaceful life here. I am thinking of staying back," he said.

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