NEW YORK, USA, November 29, 2008:
Ani Anighotri is the co-chairman of an 80-member group in the Atlanta area called the Indo-Jewish Coalition. In its modest way, the coalition attests to the deepening bonds between Jews and Hindus, whether in Israel, India or the United States; and this week’s events demonstrate a sad element of connection.
“There is some natural affinity being developed between Indians and Jewish people,” said Mr. Anighotri, 48, “Because both these countries and people have been affected by this kind of terror — killing of civilians, something despicable that is happening year after year.”
Cedric Suzman, who until recently was co-chairman of the Atlanta group, echoed the sentiment. “In times like this, you suddenly realize that you’ve built bridges,” Mr. Suzman said in a telephone interview. “So instead of recrimination and accusation, you have a huge coming together of sympathy and understanding.”
“The best way to explain it is that I was telling my daughter, ‘If you have to marry outside India, marry a Jew,’ ” said Shoba Narayan, a writer in Bangalore. “The cultures are so similar.”
Recently, the term “Hinjew” has emerged, reflecting the cultural common ground of American Jews and Indian-Americans who have grown up and gone to school together. “Some of us in the Indian-American community feel our Jewish-American friends set a very good example of being good citizens,” Mr. Anighotri said. The comfort level between Jews and Indians has allowed for a specific strain of self-mockery, too, a balm in these difficult times. As the web site SatireWire puts it:
“Hinjew leaders today conceded the merger of Hinduism and Judaism has not worked out as planned. Instead of forming a super-religion to fight off common threats, they have instead created a group of 1.3 billion people who, no matter how many times they are reincarnated, can never please their mothers.”