About
About Us
We, the Yehuddim Tamilim Trust, a Non-Governmental Organization (Reg No: BK4/197/2022), established in Tamil Nadu, aim to teach Judaism and its culture to the interested seekers in Tamil speaking world thereby bridging the two ancient civilizations of Tamil and Hebrew together, and to promote peace, harmony and welfare of both the communities.
This trust is established by a sect of Tamil native speakers who are interested to follow Judaism in their daily lives . Tikkun Olam (Healing the world) is a fundamental part of our belief and hence this trust promotes social welfare activities like working towards uplifting the poor and downtrodden, healthcare and education.
Managing Trustee
Ya’akov Avraham, a converted Jew by Rabbi Asher Meza, is the current caretaker of the community synagogue. He is fondly addressed as Rabbi. With 12+Years experience with Jewish Rabbis, he is currently teaching the community, managing the synagogue and addressing the needs of the community.
Our Community
We are not ethnically Jewish or not a part of any South Indian Jewish sect like Cochin Jews, Malabar Jews, Marathi Jews or any other south Indian Jewish roots recognized by the state of Israel, though we sincerely pray and hope that one day, the Chief Rabbinate of Eretz Yisrael will recognize us as a part of Jewish Diaspora.
Our community which is spread all over the state of Tamil Nadu, are native speakers of Tamil Language.
We observe Halachic practises like Brit Milah (male circumcision), Kosher food, Daily customary Jewish prayers in Tamil, Shabbat prayer, Niddah, and the Jewish religious festivals. The Jewish practises that we follow are taught to us by Modern Orthodox Rabbis from Israel and United states of America like Rabbi Ishai Yezur, Rabbi Asher Meza and Rabbi Yusuf Eliyah for the past 14 years, both from the Sephardic community as well as Ashkenazi Community.
Out Diet is the most possible Kosher food available to us, which are vegetables and grains, fish with scales and fins, chicken slaughtered by Kashrut style.
We gladly observe all the Jewish Festivals throughout the year and gather in Erode on important occasions.
Our community has grown from 4 to 5 members in Erode to 200 members around the state of Tamil Nadu
Affiliations & Beliefs
We are officially associated with Rabbi Yosef Eliyah and The Mishna Walk. We fully agree with and uphold the Affirmation of Classical Judaism as officially required by Rabbi Yosef and The Mishna Walk.
Several rabbis, including Rabbi Eliyah, recognize our Jewish identity and acknowledge our leadership within the local community.
We affirm the legitimacy of the Laws of Noah as a basic ethical standard for humanity. We warmly welcome those who wish to embrace the full Torah, officially enter the Covenant of Torah, and join the Jewish People under the guidance of our rabbis.
We also extend a warm welcome to Noahides who wish to be part of our community.
Our Beliefs
What Do We Believe?
We believe in the tenets of Orthodox Judaism, which again focuses on the 13 principles of Jewish faith by Rabbi Maimonides.
These 13 principles are:
- Belief in Hashem’s existence
- Belief in Hashem’s unity and indivisibility
- Belief in Hashem’s incorporeality and eternity
- Belief that Hashem alone should be worshipped
- Belief in prophecy
- Belief in Moshe Rabbeinu as the greatest prophet
- Belief that the Torah was given by Hashem to Moshe Rabbeinu
- Belief that the Torah is immutable
- Belief in divine providence
- Belief in divine punishment and reward
- Belief in the coming of the Messiah
- Belief in the resurrection of the dead
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What language do we use?
In our religious prayers, we use both Hebrew and Tamil, as well as Jewish songs in Hebrew/Aramaic but as of now we read Torah in Tamil, sermons in Tamil and all other official communications in Tamil and English.
Are we Christians?
Though we share a close bond with our Christian brothers and sisters, no we do not use New Testament, nor accept the concept of Trinity or see Jesus as God. There are members in our community who see Jesus as a religious Jew who followed the laws of Torah meticulously and also there are some members of the community who see Jesus as the promised Moshiach, but it is their individual opinion. Nevertheless, in the eyes of the State and Central Govt we are still considered as an off-shoot community of Christian religion.
Is our Trust/Foundation legal?
Yes, we are a legally registered NGO in Tamil Nadu, India, and we follow all government rules and constitutional values.
Do we have caste or support caste system?
We reject the ideology of Casteism or any ideology that considers one group of people superior to others inside our community. we all consider ourselves as the follower of Torah. We are against untouchability and caste differences.
What is your stand on other religions?
Though we believe Torah to be our guiding light, we do accept that Hashem has sent prophets to all the communities of the world, and we cannot judge that other religions are wrong and sinful as we ourselves cannot stand pure in front of Hashem. Besides we maintain peaceful and cordial relations with every religious people and work towards promoting peace and harmony among the mankind created by G-d.
What is your stand on Israel-Palestine issue?
We are an Apolitical organization. Though we firmly believe that Jews need a sovereign establishment in the land of Israel, recognize the state of Israel as its embodiment, We also love our Palestine brothers and sisters and hence pray that Jews and Arabs live in peace and in coexistence. May Hashem shower peace in Jerusalem.
Is your diet vegan?
No, our diet is a balanced diet comprising of chicken meat, fish, Dairy products, eggs, fruits, nuts, vegetables, grains and pulses as prescribed by the laws of Kosher. The Kosher laws typically allow the consumption of beef, mutton and fishes with fins and scales, since we are not by our Rabbis to slaughter for Beef or Mutton, we avoid consumption of Beef and Mutton. Pork and sea food like crab, prawns, oysters are prohibited in the Kosher laws hence by default we avoid them.
What is your stance on women?
We stand by the importance given to women in Jewish life. As stated in the book of Mishlei 31, (Proverbs chapter 31) about a righteous woman...!! Thus, we stress that women need to be educated, empowered in political system, become entrepreneurs and should be successful in civil life. We believe that men and women are equal before Hashem and our women should follow the Halachic practises secluded for women like observation of Niddah and modest dressing. it is women who build our families our society, teach best values for our children and yes, Jewish ancestry is matrilineal!!
What are your sacred literatures?
Torah (first 5 books of Moses in Christian Old Testament) , Tanakh (Old Testament), prayers and daily Jewish life rituals from Talmud
Products
Our Products
We sell Judaica items for your personal prayers, home, and even for your place of worship.
Mezuza – The Door Post
Contains Hebrew words of Torah written on parchment inside a small wooden holder. Traditionally nailed to the doorpost as per Deuteronomy 6:9 and 11:20.
Tallit
A prayer shawl with blessings and fringes at the corners, in accordance with Deuteronomy 22:12 and Numbers 15:38.
Magen David – Star of David
A 6-pointed Jewish star made of polished wood, displayed inside or outside the home.
Tallit Katan
A fringed garment traditionally worn under or over clothing by Jewish males.
Kippah
The traditional Jewish skull cap, worn as a sign of reverence before God.
Siddur – Prayer Books
Tamil–Hebrew transliterated daily prayer books for meaningful Jewish spiritual life.
Gallery
Community Gallery
Donate to Us
Donate To Us
We have an ambitious project of translating the Torah into Tamil, with transliterated Tamil scripts so Tamil readers can recite Hebrew Torah and understand it word by word. Our Torah will also contain Rabbinical quotes and interpretations for understanding it from the Jewish perspective.
For this noble task of sharing this ancient sacred literature in Tamil, kindly donate to:
Contact Us
Contact Us
📧 For questions about Judaism or our community, email us at:
admin@yehudimtamilim.org