Earthquake Hits India’s Jewish Community
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
A 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck northeastern India, inflicting damage on the infrastructure of the Jewish community of Churachandpur.
The nonprofit Shavei Israel reported in a statement Monday that the homes and property of the Bnei Menashe community there had incurred “extensive damage.” No one in the community of 7,000 was harmed.
“We are in touch with the leaders of the Bnei Menashe community throughout northeastern India. Miraculously no one in the community was harmed, but we are concerned by reports of damage to homes and property,” Shavei Israel Chairman and Founder Michael Freund said.
The earthquake struck at 4:35 am local time on Monday morning 20 miles northwest of Imphal, the capital of Manipur. At least six people were killed and at least 79 were injured.
Shavei Israel has set up a relief fund for victims affected by the earthquake.
Why I became the Forward’s Editor-in-Chief
You are surely a friend of the Forward if you’re reading this. And so it’s with excitement and awe — of all that the Forward is, was, and will be — that I introduce myself to you as the Forward’s newest editor-in-chief.
And what a time to step into the leadership of this storied Jewish institution! For 129 years, the Forward has shaped and told the American Jewish story. I’m stepping in at an intense time for Jews the world over. We urgently need the Forward’s courageous, unflinching journalism — not only as a source of reliable information, but to provide inspiration, healing and hope.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
