From cleaning jobs to a moving life's work: The amazing story of Yitzhak and Jessica

Yitzhak and Jessica Thangjom, immigrants from the Bnei Menashe community in India, founded the 'Degel Menashe' organization, which grants over 100 scholarships to students from the community. They immigrated to Israel in 2008, worked in cleaning and minimum wage jobs, and now live in Rehovot and manage a successful career.

Yitzhak and Jessica Thangjom, immigrants from the Bnei Menashe community in India, turned their absorption difficulties into a community mission. They arrived in Israel with advanced degrees, worked in cleaning and minimum wage jobs, and now live in Rehovot and manage a successful career. In November 2019, they founded the 'Degel Menashe' organization, which grants over 100 scholarships to more than 60 students, distributed 70 tons of food during the coronavirus pandemic, and provides professional guidance and translation services. Yitzhak documented about 200 oral history interviews of community elders, which led to a book. The couple also works with politicians to promote the aliyah of Bnei Menashe remaining in India, some of whom have been separated from their families for decades. The article tells their personal story while emphasizing their dedication to the community.