Marathi speaking Jewish in Israel


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Even though the Marathis have both an oral and written history that dates back 2000 years, they only gained attention as a prominent people group in the 1600s. At that time a man named Shivaji and his warriors established the Maratha Empire. India's western state of Maharashtra is named after this people group. Technically Marathi is a language, though language often defines a people group.

Marathi speakers have a strong tradition of practicing Hinduism, but some are Jewish. The latter group is in the process of moving to Israel, the Jewish homeland.


Where Are they Located?

Most Marathi speaking Jews live in India's state of Maharashtra and other states in India, but there is also a diaspora in other countries including the US, Kenya, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, and Israel.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Marathi speaking Jews emigrated to Israel mainly in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Some of them retain the Indian culture and language, while the younger generation is more likely to dress like the Israelis and speak only Hebrew. This is often the pattern for groups that move to other countries. The older generation tries to keep the culture of the old country, and the youngest generation has little or no connection with it. Often there is a generation between the two that is not entirely at home in either culture.


What Are Their Beliefs?

These people are Jewish, though some are more orthodox in their beliefs than others. Some take the Torah and the prophets very seriously, and they believe these came directly from God. Others believe that Judaism changes to fit the needs of modern man. Still others doubt the existence of God, but they remain part of the Jewish culture.


What Are Their Needs?

The Jews have a wonderful understanding of their connection with the Abrahamic covenant. However, they also have a history of rejecting Jesus Christ as Messiah, the one who has fulfilled that covenant. Pray that as the Gospel is shared, it will not be viewed as anti-Semitic, but rather as the fulfillment of what God promised through Abraham centuries ago. Like other Jewish people, the Marathi Jews in Israel need spiritual hunger that will drive them to seek and find the abundant life offered by Jesus Christ.


Prayer Points

Pray for gospel workers to catch a vision for reaching the Marathi people in Israel for Jesus and that in God's sovereign timing their hearts would be open and ready to follow Him.
Pray for Jesus movements to bless extended Marathi families so the gospel will spread rapidly among this people group.
Pray for the spiritual lives of the Marathi people to become fruitful as they follow Christ.
Pray for the lives and culture of the Marathi people to evidence the rule and reign of the Kingdom of God as they open to the gospel, and for the beauty of Jesus to be seen in them.


Scripture Prayers for the Jewish, Marathi-speaking in Israel.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/13533/KE
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judeo-Marathi
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/at-home-in-israel-with-their-marathi-ways/articleshow/59722555.cms


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Jewish, Marathi-speaking
People Name in Country Jewish, Marathi-speaking
Natural Name Marathi speaking Jewish
Pronunciation mah-RAH-tee joo
Alternate Names Marathi Jew; Marati
Population this Country 11,000
Population all Countries 111,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 13533
ROP3 Code 106317
ROP25 Code 305199
ROP25 Name Marati
Country Israel
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Israel
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked

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Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Religion Subdivision: Judaism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.05 %)
0.10 %
Ethnic Religions
99.90 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Marathi (11,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Marathi (11,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Marathi

Primary Language:  Marathi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1807-1957)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1982)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1821-2022)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Online Scripture / Bible General / Other
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Marathi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Marathi YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Digambar Kare - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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