Worried about Israeli stoners outmarrying in India, the Israeli government has sent rabbis to open Chabad centers in drug-laden areas like Goa, Manali and Dharamshala:

Most Israeli youth come to India right after finishing their compulsory army training, which gives them a reasonable amount of money. And, Manali is their favoured haunt because of great weather, cheap hotels and above all, the good quality hashish grown in the region… An overwhelming majority of them are on their ‘post-army trip’ youngsters out to have a good time, which generally means smoking quality hashish. It is said more joints are passed around in Manali hotels than cigarettes…

Over the years, many have vanished in the hills here leaving behind their passports and expired visas and peddling drugs for a living. Quite a large number of them move to warmer areas like Rishikesh, Pushkar and Goa during the winters. [Link]

Israel is hoping a stern talking-to will bring the kids back into the fold. But it sounds like these ex-soldiers are looking for a complete change of pace:

Israeli youths, fresh out of their three-year mandatory army service, are leaving their strife-torn country and reaching India in droves in search of peace. More than 10,000 men and women make their way towards places like Manali, Dharamshala and Kasauli every year where they find peace in Hinduism,
nature, and, sometimes, drugs. Many marry locals, convert to Hinduism and cut off all contact with family in Israel…

Two rabbis - Barcuh and Yonatan - arrived in India recently with a mission to take back Israeli youth who have strayed… “The biggest attraction for Israeli youth is the free availability of drugs here…” [Link]

The rabbi approach sounds like California governor ‘Tear Gas’ Reagan giving the Summer of Love kids a stern talking-to. And we all know how well that worked out.