Nola Federation holding information session for upcoming India mission

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in India on Jan. 14, 2018. Photo by Avi Ohayon/GPO.

The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans will have an informational session and kickoff dinner for Jews of the Raj, the upcoming community mission to India.

The mission will be from Jan. 23 to Feb. 4., starting with Shabbat in Mumbai, then proceeding to Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Delhi and Agra.

Museum visits include one about Mahatma Gandhi and the Gyan Museum.

Stops in Jaipur will include the Taj Rambagh Palace, a 15th-century astronomy observatory, the large Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort and the City Palace that covers one-seventh of the entire town. Jodhpur contains one of the country’s most spectacular fortresses, the Mehrangarh Fort that was started in 1459. There will also be a visit to the spice-filled Clock Tower Market.

There will also be a visit to the 14th-century Jain temples of Ranakpur, then off to Udaipur, considered the Venice of the East. There will be a visit to the City Palace and Crystal Gallery, and a studio of artists specializing in miniature painting. Sites in Delhi will include the India Gate, Parliament, President’s residence, Humayan’s Tomb, and the Sikh temple Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. Shabbat services will be held at the Judah Hyam Synagogue.

There will be a day trip to visit the Taj Mahal, followed by the Agra Fort.

The final day includes a visit to the Muslim-influenced Old Delhi and the British-influenced New Delhi, and a rickshaw ride down the main street.

Special activities include a visit with elephants, henna tattoos for women and turban tying for men, a private charter boat cruise on Lake Pichola, and a cultural show and dinner.

The dinner will be on May 1 at 6 p.m., and reservations are required to receive the address. Space for the mission is limited, and deposits are being accepted.