List of synagogues in Kerala

There are at least eight known synagogues in Kerala in recorded history, even though most of them are not operating anymore. Seven of the synagogues are used by the Cochin Jews, with one used by the Paradesi Jews.[1] Each of these is quite unique in its construction and architecture; nevertheless, they retain very similar aesthetics, blending in both the Jewish and Keralite traditions rarified over centuries.[2] A synagogue was called "Beit Knesset" (Malayalam: ബേത് ക്‌നേസേത്; Hebrew: בית כנסת) in Judeo-Malayalam or "Jootha Palli" (Malayalam: ജൂതപള്ളി) with joothan meaning Jew in Malayalam and -palli a suffix added to prayer houses of the Abrahamic faiths.

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Only the Paradesi Synagogue in Mattancherry and the Kadavumbhagam Ernakulam Synagogue in Ernakulam downtown still functions as a synagogue and are popular tourist destinations. The Parur Synagogue, Chendamangalam Synagogue, Mala Synagogue are open to public visit, even if they do not serve their originally intended religious purposes anymore. They remain as souvenirs representative of Kerala's rich cosmopolitan heritage, religious tolerance, and cultural magnificence.

Many old synagogues are completely lost, a notable example being the Kochangadi Synagogue built in 1344 (the foundation stone of which is still retained in the Paradesi Synagogue), mostly likely after the Jews had to abandon Muziris due to the great flood of the Periyar river in 1341.[3][4]

List of synagogues in Kerala
Name Location Photo Current state
Paradesi Synagogue Mattancherry, Kochi
Operational
Mala Synagogue Mala, Thrissur
Non-operational for worship, open to visits
Chendamangalam Synagogue Chendamangalam, North Paravur
Non-operational for worship;
Open to public visits as Kerala Jews Life Style Museum.
Paravur Synagogue North Paravur (Parur) [5]
Non-operational for worship;
Open to public visits as Kerala Jews History Museum
Kadavumbhagam Ernakulam Synagogue Market Road, Ernakulam;

At the center of the crowded market area on west side of Market Road,
just south of where it intersects with Jew Street [6][7][8]
Non-operational for worship (was functional until 1972, when its membership could no longer support it[9]);

currently hosts a business "Cochin Blossoms" by the present owner Mr. Elias (Babu) Josephai;
it is undergoing restoration as of 2018;[10]
open to visits[11][12]

Thekkumbhagam Ernakulam Synagogue[13] Jew Street, Ernakulam;

On the north side of Jew Street, between Market Road and Broadway and to the west of the Juma Masjid, a landmark mosque.

 Non-operational for worship;

It has served as a gathering hall for community events in recent years.
Currently, it is a locked property; access has to be prearranged with the present owner "Association of Kerala Jews", who can be contacted through Mr. Elias (Babu) Josephai, the caretaker of the nearby Kadavumbhagam Ernakulam Synagogue.

Kadavumbhagam Mattancherry Synagogue Mattanchery
Interiors of Kadavumbhagam Mattancherry Synagogue displayed in Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Interiors of Kadavumbhagam Mattancherry Synagogue displayed in Israel Museum, Jerusalem
 Non-operational for worship; in ruins; served as coir storage facility; Heckal (Holy Torah Ark) was moved to Israel and remains at the Synagogue in moshav Nehalim; interior moved to Israel, restored and displayed in Israel Museum at Jerusalem[14][15][16]
Thekkumbhagam Mattancherry Synagogue Mattancherry Non-operational and not existing anymore;

Bought by a Paradesi Jew after the congregation left to Israel in 1955,
it was later demolished to build a 2-storeyed house at the same site.[17]
Through the efforts of anthropologist Professor David G. Mandelbaum and Seymour Fromer of the former Judah L. Magnes Museum, many relics from this synagogue have been preserved at the Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life at the University of California, Berkeley and the most important antiquity being the restored Torah Ark (Heckal).[18]

List of destroyed synagogues in Kerala

Throughout their history numerous synagogues have been constructed and lost to time. in their first settlement at Shingly (Cranganore), there were 18 synagogues as per their oral traditions. Today no archaeological evidence has been yet uncovered to validate these traditions. However the custom of naming their synagogues as "Thekkumbhagam" (lit: south side) and "Kadavumbhagam" (lit: River side) is cited as a cultural memory of two such synagogues that once stood in Muziris. Several oral songs sung by Cochini women also contain references to these synagogues.[19] Apart from these, numerous Syrian Christian churches of the St. Thomas Christian community in Kerala claim to have been built on old synagogues, though archaeological evidence is scarce.

Synagogues believed to have existed or speculated on basis of oral traditions include:

  • Madayi Synagogue, Madayi
  • Kodungaloor Synagogue/ Makotai Synagogue, Kodungallur
  • Thekkumbhagam synagogue, Kodungallur
  • Kadavumbhagam Synagogue, Kodungallur

Synagogues in recorded history whose location and/or remains have been lost in time:[20]

  • Palayoor Synagogue, Palur (known only from a rimon (ornament) bearing its name)
  • Kokkamangalam Synagogue, Kokkamangalam
  • Kochangadi Synagogue, (1344–1789 AD) Kochangadi (oldest synagogue in recorded history)
  • Saudi Synagogue, (1514–1556 AD), Saude, a locality south of Fort Kochi.
  • Tir-Tur Synagogue, (1745–1768 AD) Thiruthur, Kochi
  • Muttam Synagogue (1800 AD), Muttam, Alappuzha
  • Fort Kochi Synagogue, (1848 AD), Fort Kochi (congregation of meschuhrarim)

Architectural similarities
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Synagogues in Kerala.

All the eight synagogues in Kerala built during the recent centuries have similar traditional architectural features that include:

  • a central Bimah of brass or silver metal on a concrete or stone base
  • an Ark or heckal on the western wall facing Jerusalem.
  • a balcony above the eastern entry to the sanctuary that is used by the hazzan (reader) on certain holidays.
  • a second bimah on the upper gallery for women, unique to kerala synagogues. Often integrated into the wooden railing of the balcony.
  • a women's gallery behind the balcony, with a stairway leading up to it, usually from outside the building.

See also

References
  1. Mandelbaum, David G. (1939). "The Jewish Way of Life in Cochin". Jewish Social Studies. 1 (4): 423–460. JSTOR 4464305.
  2. India’s Synagogue Variety: Architecture, History, and Context, Jay A. Waronker, Café Dissensus, 31 December 2014
  3. Indian Jews: This little known minority community has a rich heritage, Sifra Lentin, First Post, 26 June 2016
  4. Lost Kerala Synagogues, Jay A. Waronker, Friends of Kerala Synagogues, 2011
  5. A revival of Jewish heritage on the Indian tourism trail, Shalva Weil, Jerusalem Post, 16 July 2010
  6. Kadavumbagam Synagogue, Ernakulam, Jay A. Waronker, Friends of Kerala Synagogues, 2011
  7. Harman, Danna (31 March 2016). "Only 26 Jews left in this Indian city — and they still can't get along". Haaretz.
  8. The Last Jew on Jews Street, Karen Saul, Haaretz, 21 April 2003
  9. Synagogues360: Kadavumbagam Synagogue, SYNAGOGUES360, A Visual and Historical Record of Synagogues from Around the World - 360° panoramas of Jewish Culture, 2013
  10. Abraham, Tanya; Abraham, Tanya (9 February 2018). "A synagogue comes to life". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  11. History preserved – Cochin Blossoms, Potliwalas, 2013
  12. Kerala - Kadavumbagam Ernakulam Synagogue, Indian Jewish Heritage Center, 2014
  13. Tekkumbagam Synagogue, Ernakulam, Jay A. Waronker, Friends of Kerala Synagogues, 2011
  14. "The Israel Museum Permanent Galleries: Interior of the Kadavumbagam synagogue". museum.imj.org.il. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  15. K, Laju Paul (2 November 2011). "Jewish Monuments of Kerala: Journey of the 'Holy Ark' of Kadavumbagam Synagogue from Mattancherry to Jerusalem". Jewish Monuments of Kerala. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  16. Isaac, Ido. "Kerala - Kadavumbagam Mattancherry Synagogue". indianjews.org. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  17. Kerala - Tekkumbagam Mattancherry Synagogue, Indian Jewish Heritage Center, 2014
  18. Surendranath, Nidhi (14 September 2013). "Reliving the glorious days of Kochi's Jews". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  19. "Cochin: Jewish Women's Music". Jewish Women's Archive. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  20. Waronker, Jay (2007). Jay Waronker : India's synagogues ; March-April 7, 2007. Handwerker Gallery, Ithaca College. OCLC 173844321.
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