The conversion process included full body immersions in a river located a 90-minute drive away from Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital. (Deborah Josefson)

Some of the Malagasy Jews by choice see the practice of Judaism as a return to their roots and an overthrowing of the last vestiges of colonialism. (Deborah Josefson)

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (JTA) – A nascent Jewish community was officially born in Madagascar last month when 121 men, women and children underwent Orthodox conversions on the remote Indian Ocean island nation better known for lemurs, chameleons, dense rain forests and vanilla.

The conversions, which took place over a 10-day period, were the climax of a process that arose organically five to six years ago when followers of various messianic Christian sects became disillusioned with their churches and began to study Torah. [Read more…]