EXPLORE JEWISH INDIA
  • Home
  • Virtual Events
  • Jewish India Tours
    • Explore India Tour
    • Discover India Tour
    • Traveler Day Tour
  • Shop
  • Recipes
    • ​Bhajee Vegetable Curry
    • Pilau (Rice)
    • Kishmish Badam (Raisins and Almonds)
    • Calcutta Vegetable Cutlets
    • Beetroot Leaves or Spinach Mahmoosa
    • Piaju (deep fried veggies)
    • Aloo Makala
    • Dal
    • Kooleecha
    • New Page
  • About
    • Reviews
    • Gallery
    • Contact
  • Blog

The Adventure Continues

EXPLORE JEWISH INDIA BLOG

Award-Winning Journalism!

8/11/2023

 
awards, journalism. refugees, social justice, women rabbis, feminism
I am deeply gratified to have received four Simon Rockower awards for excellence in Jewish journalism, awarded this past week by the American Jewish Press Association. All four stories were written for Hadassah magazine, and happily, two were first-place awards, along with a second-place and an honorable mention. It's my honor to work together with a caring team of editors who are meticulous about every nuance of reporting. I learn so much from every person I profile and every situation I research. That's why I love journalism.

Two of the stories were in the category of Excellence in Writing about Social Justice and Humanitarian Work. Praised by the judges for its “thorough reporting" on how others can make a difference in helping alleviate the refugee crisis, “
Welcoming the Stranger, Literally” won first place. A “moving” profile of a remarkable and inspiring activist, Georgette Bennett (“Bringing Light Into Darkness”),  won honorable mention.  “Battling Antisemitism on Campus” won another first-place award. The magazine's special supplement coverage celebrating 50 years of women in the rabbinate won a second-place award. I contributed two stories to that section: “Holy Sparks: Celebrating Fifty Years of Women in the Rabbinate” and “Envisioning the Rabbinate Through a Different Lens.”

Read about all of Hadassah's awards here.
Happy reading!

Celebrate Indian Independence: 76 Year Young

8/11/2023

 
Indian dancers, Indian independence, Indian flag
I wasn't alive when India gained its independence in 1947. But my grandfather was. I always think of a photo of him (below, just to the left of the flag, in a dark suit, bright white shirt and tie) making a speech at a company event raising the Indian flag. You can't see the flag very well in this old black-and-white photo. But it's striking, with its bands of saffron, white, and green that symbolize strength and courage; peace and truth; fertility, growth, and auspiciousness.

Independence augured a new day for the country that had been my family's home since 1820. But there was a lot of uncertainty for the future.
Indian independence, Jewish India, Jews in India, Indian flag, saffron white and green, grandfather
On August 15, India celebrates its 76th birthday.  Since independence, the country has progressed in so many ways.
  • India is the largest democracy in the world. Of its 912 million eligible voters, 69 percent are registered to vote, and 67 percent voted in the 2019 elections.  
  • India is the fifth largest economy in the world, after the US, China, Japan, and Germany. The founding socialist-inspired economic model gave way to economic liberalization in 1991, leading to tremendous growth and globalization.  
  • India is a major player in the information technology (IT) sector, outsourcing and software development. Initiatives like Digital India ensure that government services are available electronically by increasing Internet connectivity and technological empowerment.  
  • India has just sent a mission to the moon, part of its homegrown space program. The robotic lander and rover aboard Chandrayaan-3 are scheduled to land on the moon August 23 or 24. If it is successful, no other country besides China will have accomplished that feat in this century.  
  • India’s infrastructure has improved. The total length of its highways has jumped from 15,000 miles in 1947 to 145,000 today.  
  • India has made significant efforts towards environmental awareness by recycling, greening its cities, and reducing trash and pollution. Several states and cities have taken steps to ban or restrict single-use plastics, and stricter emissions standards have been implemented.
  • India is working to reduce poverty and homelessness through programs that provide rural employment opportunities, social security measures, affordable housing, and homeless shelters, and that improve access to basic services like education, healthcare, and clean drinking water.
  • Women's empowerment and gender equality are improving. There's still a long way to go, but progress is heartening in areas from education and healthcare to legal rights, employment, and political participation. Read what a difference one person can make!
Indian independence, Jewish India, gateway of India, Mumbai, Sassoons, saffrom white and green
Indian independence, women in India, taxis in India, Jewish India
Celebrate India with us! We are offering $100 off our tours (per person), if you register and reserve your seat by August 15.

We have just a few seats left for out upcoming November and February tours. Don't miss out on this unforgettable tour that offers unparalleled experiences of India's diversity, a remarkable mix of sacred and secular. However you look at it--on a personal, historical, cultural, or religious level--India is a monumental place to explore. It is beyond stereotypes.

Contact me for more information.
Learn more.
Register here.
Indian independence, Indian flag, saffron green and white, progress in India
Indian independence, marigolds, saffron, progress in India

    Author

    Rahel Musleah was born in Calcutta, India, the seventh generation of a Calcutta Jewish family that traces its roots to 17th-century Baghdad.

    Archives

    August 2023
    December 2022
    September 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    December 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

About us

Our unforgettable tours offer unparalleled experiences of India's diversity, vibrant beauty, and rich Jewish heritage, a remarkable mix of sacred and secular. ​
Picture

Contact us

We are here to answer your questions about exploring Jewish India. Rahel Musleah is available for virtual events and activities.
Contact us We'd love to chat.

Explore with us

Virtual Events
Itinerary
Shop
Registration
Testimonials
Blog
Locate the Zoom event link for virtual events
Copyright © 2021
  • Home
  • Virtual Events
  • Jewish India Tours
    • Explore India Tour
    • Discover India Tour
    • Traveler Day Tour
  • Shop
  • Recipes
    • ​Bhajee Vegetable Curry
    • Pilau (Rice)
    • Kishmish Badam (Raisins and Almonds)
    • Calcutta Vegetable Cutlets
    • Beetroot Leaves or Spinach Mahmoosa
    • Piaju (deep fried veggies)
    • Aloo Makala
    • Dal
    • Kooleecha
    • New Page
  • About
    • Reviews
    • Gallery
    • Contact
  • Blog