MIZORAM BMC CONDUCTS SEMINAR ON JUDAISM AT AIZAWL
(July 24, 2024) A 5-day seminar on Judaism has been recently concluded on Sunday, the 21st July, 2024 at the Shlom Tzion Synagogue at Aizawl. It began on 17th July at the initiative of the synagogues' patriarchs, the chairman, Gamliel Thomte and the treasurer, Nadav Hauhnar. The first three days were conducted at the residence of the treasurer, Nadav Hauhnar situated the Aizawl neighborhood of Eden Thar. Stressing a need for education and fulfillment of the community's spiritual needs, initiatives were taken by the BMC, Mizoram chapter. Ohaliav Haokip, the general secretary of the BMC (I) was invited to lecture the community on various aspects of Judaism. There were about 25 to 30 participants and was carried our with much enthusiasm. The last two days were held at the Shlom Tzion synagogue on Shabbat and the following Sunday, it concluded with meal sponsored by a member, Irvin Colney.
In a short conversation with Ohaliav Haokip, he filled in the details to our newsletter.
Q: What was the underlying motivation behind this seminar?
Ohaliav Haokip: It was the idea of the senior BMC members led by Pu Gamliel and Pu Nadav. They were actively supported by Ben Aryeh, who also serves as the BMC's Secretary. The other members also gave their
full cooperation to this important matter which ultimately define their lives' mission. We don't have proper Jewish schools with most of the children going to regular schools. Their only exposure to Judaism being this synagogue, its Shabbat services and festivals. It has become important to let every congregation members know what it means to be Jewish. It has been a complete success and I think we have succeeded in implanting the importance of these learning. We know very well how learning is so important in Judaism. It is our mission to keep that light burning for all of us and the generations to come.
Q: Can you take us through the seminar, what happened during these 5 days?
O. H: We began with the most basic things in Judaism, a kind of a refresher's course, that is the daily things that one does, what is expected of a Jewish person. I began with Shacharit, Mincha, Maariv/Arvit, then I went on to the weekly ones, that is Shabbat. I followed it up with the monthly observations which is the Rosh Chodesh and the annual ones, festivals and fasts. I further divided the festivals with those from the Torah and those from the Sages. Then it was the mitzvot and brachot. These were interspersed with
question time allotted for each topic. I am happy to say that I was asked a lot of questions and tried my best to answer them. We would have loved to have gone on to the philosophy side but that will be for another time when we are ready.
Q: Anything besides learning, perhaps a meal?
O.H: Since everyone is working, it was not possible to make it a whole day event. Instead, we designated evening hours, 7 pm to 10 pm, sometimes up to 11 pm at night. We'd all come to Pu Nadav's house at Eden Thar after supper, every evening and conducted the meetings there. We were served tea and light snacks for the duration of the seminar. We moved the seminar to Shlom Tzion synagogue for the duration of Shabbat and the last day. One of our members, Irvin Colney volunteered to sponsor an entire dinner for the concluding day on Sunday, the 21st July. He comes from a wealthy family and he was only happy to contribute what he could to make it a success and a memorable one at that. The whole community is thankful for his generosity.
Q: You are from Lamka which means that you have limited command of Mizo. How did you handle that?
O.H: You are right, even though I understand Mizo, I have trouble speaking it. That was one challenge we over came, though. I gave my lectures in a combination of both Kuki and English and a smattering of Mizo, a word here and there. There were two people who were there that made transitions of both languages into Mizo. Ben Aryeh is fluent in both Mizo and English, he came in when my talks were delivered in English. When I spoke in Kuki, I have Noah. Noah is originally from Lamka but he has lived in Aizawl for a very long time. His Mizo is no different from any other Mizo, not even an accent and moreover he has not forgotten our language, or should I say dialect.
Q: Any concluding words?
O.H: The seminar has been a tremendous encouragement for all of us. It stimulates learning and curiosity that leads to proper observations of the mitzvot, which is the objective for all of us. I am hoping that this program can be replicated in all our synagogues and communities, wherever we live. There is so much to learn and gain for all of us. As for me personally, as much as I enjoyed teaching whatever I know to an enthusiastic crowd, I have gained by learning as I teach. There is an ocean of knowledge in Jewish wisdom for us to explore. Our journey has only but begun!
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