Hinduism in Israel
Encyclopedia
Israel
is home to a relatively small Hindu
population which has spread to Israel mainly by International Society for Krishna Consciousness
devotees.
There is another substantial Vaishnava community in Israel located in Ariel, the largest settlement on the West Bank. It is spearheaded by Jagadish and his wife, Jugala-Priti, and serves a growing community of devotees from Russia who immigrated to Israel to escape the severe economic oppression in the CIS. Jugala-Priti joined the ISKCON center in Tel Aviv, in 1996 guiided by Gunavatar and Varshabhanavi. She uses a large hall in her basement that serves as the temple for their growing congregation. It draws nearly 70 devotees....
http://www.wavesofdevotion.com/journal/2002/05/
(Mātā Amritanandamayī Devī, Devanagari
: माता अमृतानन्दमयी, Malayalam:മാതാ അമൃതാനന്ദമയി), born Sudhamani Idamannel, September 27, 1953) is a Hindu spiritual leader and teacher, who is revered as a saint by her followers, who also know her as "Amma", "Ammaji" or "Mother". She is widely respected for her humanitarian activities. She is sometimes referred to as "The Hugging Saint".
There is a growing movement of devotees to the teachings of Mata Amritanandamayi in Israel. For many years it has been custom for Israeli soldiers upon completing their compulsory active duty service to travel to international destinations. Their most preferred destination has been India and many Israelis have discovered the wide array of spiritual teachings and practices India has to offer. Eventually some of these have found their way back to Israel to take root and grow on their own.
There is now currently in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv an Amma Center run by Israelis who have lived and studied at the Amritapuri Ashram in the state of Kerala
, India
. On a regular basis are held satsang gatherings inspired by the teachings of Amma. At these gatherings are practiced meditation, singing of bhajans (devotional prayers) and listening to the teachings of Amma. http://www.amma.org.il http://www.amma.org
Ithamar Theodor, who teaches Indian culture at the Department of Asian Studies of Haifa University, said "there is a general attraction towards Indian culture. It is not just a religious attraction but more of a cultural attraction."
"The process of Americanisation in Israel has left a void which is very well filled by the Indian cultural aspects ranging from its spirituality, philosophy, music and a whole range of other alternatives," he said.
, a festival modelled on the Kumbhamela
.
The organisers said they were inspired by Kumbh and started the event in Israel three years ago. Many of the visitors at the festival have been to India or are planning to visit. A number of youngsters could be seen taking Yoga
classes and attending Hare Krishna lectures. Long queues were to be found outside the Indian ‘dhaba
’ serving boiled rice and lentil soup. Middle aged couples, draped in Indian clothes, strolled the beach, young boys and girls drew circles on the soft sand while others surfed the morning sea.
Searching for essence of life in esoteric and mystical philosophies, a number of Israelis get attracted to Indian philosophy and spiritualism like Shirdi Sai Baba and Osho Rajneesh. India has become a popular destination among Israelis and over 25,000 people visit the country every year.
and Druze
religions share the belief in reincarnation
. However, unlike Hinduism, the Druze religion is strictly Monotheistic
.
Druze-Krishna Cultural Center in Osafia, Israel was established in 1990.
Sai Organisation was officially established in Israel in year 2001.http://www.sathyasai.org.il/index.htm
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
is home to a relatively small Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
population which has spread to Israel mainly by International Society for Krishna Consciousness
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness , known colloquially as the Hare Krishna movement, is a Gaudiya Vaishnava religious organization. It was founded in 1966 in New York City by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada...
devotees.
Hare Krishnas in Israel
The devotees living in Harish all have careers and work outside. Several times a year they organize a strong devotee presence in several of the country's alternative retreat festivals. As there is only one small community for preaching Krishna consciousness in Israel, the devotees feel more responsible for the mission, as compared to America where there are so many centers and communities.There is another substantial Vaishnava community in Israel located in Ariel, the largest settlement on the West Bank. It is spearheaded by Jagadish and his wife, Jugala-Priti, and serves a growing community of devotees from Russia who immigrated to Israel to escape the severe economic oppression in the CIS. Jugala-Priti joined the ISKCON center in Tel Aviv, in 1996 guiided by Gunavatar and Varshabhanavi. She uses a large hall in her basement that serves as the temple for their growing congregation. It draws nearly 70 devotees....
http://www.wavesofdevotion.com/journal/2002/05/
Devotees of Amma
Mata AmritanandamayiMata Amritanandamayi
Mātā Amṛtānandamayī Devī , primarily known simply as Amma ["Mother"], is a Hindu spiritual leader and guru, who is revered as a saint by her followers. She is widely respected for her humanitarian activities...
(Mātā Amritanandamayī Devī, Devanagari
Devanagari
Devanagari |deva]]" and "nāgarī" ), also called Nagari , is an abugida alphabet of India and Nepal...
: माता अमृतानन्दमयी, Malayalam:മാതാ അമൃതാനന്ദമയി), born Sudhamani Idamannel, September 27, 1953) is a Hindu spiritual leader and teacher, who is revered as a saint by her followers, who also know her as "Amma", "Ammaji" or "Mother". She is widely respected for her humanitarian activities. She is sometimes referred to as "The Hugging Saint".
There is a growing movement of devotees to the teachings of Mata Amritanandamayi in Israel. For many years it has been custom for Israeli soldiers upon completing their compulsory active duty service to travel to international destinations. Their most preferred destination has been India and many Israelis have discovered the wide array of spiritual teachings and practices India has to offer. Eventually some of these have found their way back to Israel to take root and grow on their own.
There is now currently in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv an Amma Center run by Israelis who have lived and studied at the Amritapuri Ashram in the state of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. On a regular basis are held satsang gatherings inspired by the teachings of Amma. At these gatherings are practiced meditation, singing of bhajans (devotional prayers) and listening to the teachings of Amma. http://www.amma.org.il http://www.amma.org
Krishna Janmashtami
Hindus are able to practice freely in the country. This is notably shown by the celebrations of Krishna Janmashtami, which is celebrated in Israel with fanfare. Plays are staged revolving around stories of Krishna's childhood, besides singing and dancing just like devotees in India. The event is accompanied with a somptous feast of 108 dishes, a number that has come to be identified as pious by the faithful.Ithamar Theodor, who teaches Indian culture at the Department of Asian Studies of Haifa University, said "there is a general attraction towards Indian culture. It is not just a religious attraction but more of a cultural attraction."
"The process of Americanisation in Israel has left a void which is very well filled by the Indian cultural aspects ranging from its spirituality, philosophy, music and a whole range of other alternatives," he said.
Boombamela
Dancing, singing, reveling, meditating and relaxing their bodies and souls, over 30,000 Israelis gathered for four days at Nitzanim beach on the Mediterranean to celebrate BoombamelaBoombamela
Boombamela is a former Shanti/ New Age and currently a Mainstream festival held annually on Chol HaMoed Pesach in Israel since 1999, described by its organisers as "a place for meeting, experiencing, crossing borders and transcending social limitations through music, creation, and connection with...
, a festival modelled on the Kumbhamela
Kumbh Mela
Kumbh Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage in which Hindus gather at the Ganges river.The normal Kumbh Mela is celebrated every 3 years, the Ardh Kumbh Mela is celebrated every six years at Haridwar and Prayag, the Purna Kumbh takes place every twelve years, at four places Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain,...
.
The organisers said they were inspired by Kumbh and started the event in Israel three years ago. Many of the visitors at the festival have been to India or are planning to visit. A number of youngsters could be seen taking Yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
classes and attending Hare Krishna lectures. Long queues were to be found outside the Indian ‘dhaba
Dhaba
In India and Pakistan highways are dotted with local restaurants popularly known as dhabas In India and Pakistan highways are dotted with local restaurants popularly known as dhabas In India and Pakistan highways are dotted with local restaurants popularly known as dhabas (singular: dhaba; In India...
’ serving boiled rice and lentil soup. Middle aged couples, draped in Indian clothes, strolled the beach, young boys and girls drew circles on the soft sand while others surfed the morning sea.
Searching for essence of life in esoteric and mystical philosophies, a number of Israelis get attracted to Indian philosophy and spiritualism like Shirdi Sai Baba and Osho Rajneesh. India has become a popular destination among Israelis and over 25,000 people visit the country every year.
Similarities and differences between Hindus and Druze
The HinduHinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
and Druze
Druze
The Druze are an esoteric, monotheistic religious community, found primarily in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan, which emerged during the 11th century from Ismailism. The Druze have an eclectic set of beliefs that incorporate several elements from Abrahamic religions, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism...
religions share the belief in reincarnation
Reincarnation
Reincarnation best describes the concept where the soul or spirit, after the death of the body, is believed to return to live in a new human body, or, in some traditions, either as a human being, animal or plant...
. However, unlike Hinduism, the Druze religion is strictly Monotheistic
The People of Monotheism
The People of Monotheism can mean:* , a name the Druze use for themselves. Literally, "The People of Unity" or "The Unitarians", from , unity ....
.
Druze-Krishna Cultural Center in Osafia, Israel was established in 1990.
Sai Organisation in Israel
In Israel, Sai meetings were held since 1991 in Ein Hod and in Haifa and later in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.Sai Organisation was officially established in Israel in year 2001.http://www.sathyasai.org.il/index.htm