The earliest Jews in India and their history starts from 587 BC, some Jewish exiles came to Cranganore, an ancient port near Cochin, now Kodungallur. The Paradesi Jews settled in the Cochin region in the 16th century and later built the Paradesi Synagogue and White Jew town here.
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Ancient Jewish Synagogues in Kerala and History
1.
2. History Starts from King Solomon's Time
The earliest Jews in India were sailors from King Solomon's time. It has
been claimed that following the destruction of the First Temple in the
Siege of Jerusalem of 587 BC, some Jewish exiles came to India. But it
was after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE that there are
records of numerous Jewish settlers arriving at Cranganore, an ancient
port near Cochin. Cranganore, now transliterated as Kodungallur, but
also known under other names, is a city of legendary importance to
this community. They known as the Malabari Jews, they built
synagogues and Jew Town in Kerala beginning in the 12th and 13th
centuries.
4. The Paradesi Jews, also called "White Jews", settled in the Cochin region in the 16th century
and later, following the expulsion from Iberia due to forced conversion and religious
persecution in Spain and then Portugal. The Paradesi Jews (also called White Jews) built one,
the Paradesi Synagogue and White Jew town here.
12. Mrs. Selam her name was, and she was Cochin Jew herself. Many of the Jews went back to
Israel and some even chose to move to America. The Jewish population in Fort Kochi now
number less than a hundred, and the Cochin Jews could very well be an extinct ethnicity in a
few years time.
14. At the Entrance of Pardesi Synagogue
The Paradesi Jews, also called "White
Jews", settled in the Cochin region in the
16th century and later, following the
expulsion from Iberia due to forced
conversion and religious persecution in
Spain and then Portugal. The Paradesi
Jews (also called White Jews) built one,
the Paradesi Synagogue and White Jew
town here.
25. There is a 'Gate of Faith' in Beit Hatfutsot, the Museum of the Jewish
People, located within the campus of Tel Aviv Univerisity in the
northern suburb of Ramat Aviv has magnificent display of 18 miniature
synagogue reproductions from across the Jewish world. This one is the
miniature of Paradesi Synagogue, Fort Kochi
38. By the 18th century, there were 8 synagogues in five
different Kerala towns and villages: 3 in Cochin, 2 in
Ernakulam and one each in Parur and 2 other towns.
Next some of the preserved Synagogues in Kerala. >>>
41. The Chendamangalam Synagogue built in 1614 AD was restored and opened for visitors in
February, 2006. The Synagogue opened as a museum with an exhibition on the Jewish culture
and heritage .
51. Mala synagogue, located in the Kerala State of India, near Cochin. On December 20, 1954, 300 members
of the Jewish community in Mala moved en masse to Israel. Control of the Synagogue was given over to
the local municipality, with the agreement that it would be maintained, and not used as a slaughterhouse,
or as a house of prayer. The building has been readapted as a venue for cultural, educational and
communal functions. The furnishings and religious artifacts have been lost.
54. 5. Kadavumbagam Synagogue, Mattancherry
Kadavumbagam
Synagogue was
constructed in the
medieval period in the
port town of
Cranganore to the
north of Kochi.
56. A Malabari Jewish narrative goes that
the Tekkumbagam Synagogue was
constructed in 1200 after some of the
community, seen as competitors in the
lucrative spice industry, were forced out
of Cranganore in 1154 by the powerful
Moors.
6. Tekkumbagam Synagogue, Ernakulam
58. The Kerala Jews lived in safety, but it seems that
most opted to emigrate to Israel after the new state
was established in 1948. Some 75,000 Indian Jews
left their homes, synagogues, schools and
cemeteries behind; few families remained to look
after...