Jews and Indians: "Hinjews?"

America has always traditionally been a melting pot of languages, cultures, and religions, but recently an unlikely relationship has emerged: Indians and Jews. In a November 28 article for the New York Times, Samuel Freedman explores links between Indians and American Jews as well as Israelis. This bond has been growing stronger recently because both groups are targets of Islamic terrorism, but its roots are in “the softer tissue of human experience—culture, religion, values.” Both cultures share a “commitment to education,” hard work, and fatalism, among other qualities. In fact, the similarities are so pronounced that, as one woman told her daughter, “If you have to marry outside India, marry a Jew.” Though terrorism during the past several years is now bringing many of these parallels to light, they actually began to emerge several decades ago.

During the 1960s, American Jews searching for spiritual renewal turned to Indian Buddhism. So many Jews adopted Buddhist practices, such as meditation, that a new word was created: “Jew-Bu.” More recently, the term “Hinjew” was coined. Many traditionally Jewish public schools in suburban areas of New York and New Jersey, for example, are now attracting more and more Indian immigrants. In Israel, yoga classes and Hindu food are both very popular. In addition, “about 30,000 Israelis visit India each year,” which has contributed to the spread of Indian culture in Israel. A group in Atlanta called the “Indo-Jewish Coalition” is one organization that fosters this budding relationship. Ani Anighotri, co-chairman of the group, notes that Indian-Americans often find Jewish-Americans to be good role models because of “their activism, their social values, their family values, the educational values.” A lot of Jews are also professionals and entrepreneurs, which is similar to the Indian community. Clearly, even though victimization by Muslim terrorists has helped bring the two groups together, the ties extend much further.

So what does this link mean, both domestically and internationally? Will we see an alliance between India and Israel? Israel already sells about $1 billion in arms to Indian per year, beginning after the Cold War. In the face of Islamic terrorist attacks on both countries, a tighter alliance would not be too surprising. In America, what does the future hold for Jews and Indians? The current relationship seems to be one that is positive and healthy, but will competition for education and jobs break some of these bonds and create divisions?