JDC: In Service; Location: India

Whenever the conversation about “where JDC works” begins and India is mentioned as one of the 70 countries benefiting from Jewish programs, we usually receive an incredulous, “There are Jews in India?” The answer is: YES, there are Jews in India—and not just the ones who are backpacking through from Western countries. India is home to a close-knit and colorful community of 5,000 Jews who take pride in their unique culture and heritage. Currently, JDC’s Short-Term Service program has a group of Tufts University college students on a trip in India where they are volunteering their time with the Jewish youth group, helping restore a historic Jewish cemetery, and learning about local culture. From the looks of their blog posts, they seem enchanted with the exotic country and its Jewish citizens. Check out their latest entry complete with pics from their first night in Mumbai.