Program Description: “The Indian-Jewish Heritage and Identity” with Tom Eyal Rizman, Israeli Community Emissary
Indian Jewry has a long and rich history, from their ancient communities of Mumbai, Cochin, and Kolkata to the immigration of Indian Jews to Israel and the unique ways they have preserved and reshaped their Indian traditions there. Blending history with his personal life, Tom offers a look into growing up as an Indian-Israeli and carrying that heritage into the wider Jewish world. His presentation includes cultural anecdotes, family stories, and reflections on belonging, identity, and pride within the global Jewish mosaic.
Hailing from Be’er Sheva, Israel, Tom Eyal Rizman is part of a proud Indian-Jewish family with roots in Mumbai and Karachi. His grandparents immigrated to Israel in the 1950’s joining the vibrant Indian-Jewish community in the south of Israel. Through his work, Tom seeks to strengthen cultural bridges between Israelis and American Jews, sharing stories, traditions, and diverse expressions of Israeli and Indian identity. Tom serves as the shaliach (Israeli Community Emissary) at Jewish for Good in Durham.
