Introduction

Abstract

The chapter introduces the history of the Bene Ephraim in the context of other Lost Tribes communities all over the world, the history of Dalit movements in India, and broader academic discussion about definitions of Jewishness, particularist and universalist tendencies in Judaism, opportunities for social mobility in India, and issues in conversion and the rhetoric of identity. The chapter also describes the methodology used in the study that this book is based on and discusses ethical considerations of our research.