India Expels Chabad Rabbi To Israel

Haaretz reported that the Indian government on Tuesday expelled to Israel a Chabad rabbi who was serving the small ancient Jewish community in Cochin. The rabbi's wife was also expelled. The Indian government charged that Rabbi Zalman Bernstein did not declare on his visa application that he would be conducting religious activities and would be trying to convert foreigners. Local newspapers reported that the rabbi was holding unusual nighttime meetings at his home, suggested he was receiving outside support and said some thought he was spying for Israel. Rabbi Bernstein suggested that the expulsion order was pressed by owners of local hotels and restaurants who disliked the competition from Chabad offering Friday evening Shabbat dinner free of charge.