Malayalam introduced in Hebrew University in Jerusalem

The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, for the first time has introduced Malayalam for its students, even as they continue to learn Telugu and Tamil, two other South Indian languages.

According to the University officials "there is a growing interest in India here and Malayalam is an important language in understanding the glorious culture of south India," quoted ICNS.

A PTI report mentioned Ophira Gamliel, who earlier translated a book, 'Oh Lovely Parrot', on Jewish women's songs in Malayalam to Hebrew and who has just returned from Kerala after three years of stay working on her doctoral thesis and mastering the language, has been appointed to teach at the department.

"And Kochi’s Jewish community living in Israel, which are around 20,000 in numbers, are happy at the introduction of Malayalam in the university curriculum. They feel it is "a fitting tribute" on completing fifty years of aliyah, meaning immigration to Israel," noted ICNS.

The community takes a lot of pride in its Indian roots. It also organised a cultural programme on India’s 60th Independence Day which was attended by thousands of people.