Hinduism in Israel
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Israel is home to a relatively small Hindu population which has spread to Israel mainly by International Society for Krishna Consciousness Missionaries.
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[edit] Hare Krishnas in Israel
Harish, one hour from Tel Aviv, is now the Center of Krishna consciousness in Israel. Initially, the government laid the structure for a nice city to develop there, but since the city is so close to the violence coming from the West Bank, it has never become a popular place. As a consequence, its development has been stalled. The houses are therefore very cheap and the devotees can easily afford to settle there.
This let the Krishna devotees, popularly known as "Hare Krishnas", to settle down here and form a small community.
The devotees living in Harish all work at outside jobs except for Gunavatar and Varshabhanavi, who are maintained by the growing congregation of devotees that they have developed throughout Israel. As such, they are free to preach and constantly travel throughout Israel, teaching seminars on philosophy and establishing nama-hatta centers? each traveling separately and covering different places.
Although the devotees have careers and work outside, they are very active in the development of Srila Prabhupada's mission? especially the devotees from Harish. 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. [1]
[edit] Hindu Festivals in Israel
[edit] Krishna Janmashtami
Due to the openness of Israeli society compared to many of its neighbours, Hindus are able to practice freely in the country. This is ntoably 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[1].
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.
[edit] 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 Boombamela, a festival modelled on the Kumbh mela.
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[2].
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.
[edit] Similarities between Hindus and Druze
The Hindu and Druze religions have many similarities and Krishna Consciousness is spread to Druze people by ISKCON Missionaries. As a result, many Druze have accepted Krishna.
Druze-Krishna Cultural Center in Osafia, Israel was established in 1990.
[edit] Brahma Kumaris in Israel
Brahma Kumaris has one Centre at Simtat Rachel 12B, Givat Schmuel, Tel Aviv
[edit] 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 the year 2001 in Israel [2]
