Jewish Kochi | World Jewish Travel

Jewish city story of Kochi

Jewish Kochi (also known as Cochin) is a city in southwest India's coastal Kerala state. It has been a port since 1341, when a flood carved out its harbor and opened it to Arab, Chinese and European merchants. Sites reflecting those influences include Fort Kochi, a settlement with tiled colonial bungalows and diverse houses of worship. Cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, typical of Kochi, have been in use for centuries.

THE BEST OF Kochi

Kosher Travel

India Kosher Travel

and 2 other Tours

Guides

Joyce Xavier

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Hotels

Taj Malabar Resort and Spa

and 1 other Hotels

Restaurants

Ginger House

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אתרים מומלצים Sites to see

Sites

Chendamangalam Synagogue and Museum

The Chendamangalam Synagogue is one of the oldest known synagogues built by the Malabar Jews, in Chendamangalam, a village in the Ernakulam district of the coastal state of Kerala. It is dated to 1100 A.D, though the synagogue structure itself dates to 1420 A.D or 1614 A.D., making it the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations. A tombstone recovered from Shingly was stored in this synagogue and is presently on display in the courtyard in front. This tombstone with the inscription of Sarah bat Israel is the oldest Jewish relic found in India, dating to 1270 A.D. After the entire congregation made aliyah to Israel in 1950s, the synagogue was defunct for decades. Today it serves as a Kerala Jews Lifestyle Museum for the Muziris Project, a conservation project by the Government of Kerala. The synagogue has been restored and has an exhibit open to visitors from 9:30 to 5:00 during the week. A tombstone recovered from Shingly was stored in this synagogue and is presently on display in the courtyard in front. This tombstone with the inscription of Sarah bat Israel is the oldest Jewish relic found in India, dating to 1270 A.D. The Chendamangalam Synagogue Musuem showcases the lives and rituals of Kerala Jews who were firm believers and lived in close contact with the local society. The synagogue is located inside high walls that surround it. The wall in front is as high as the front elevation. When you cross the front door, it is the Azara, with a vast prayer room behind it. The balcony that projects into the prayer room is the second Bimah (elevated platform for Torah reading). Supporting it are two stone pillars with intricate carvings. The position of the Ark is on the wall across the door, and it is a beautiful piece of art in teak with carved images. On the wooden planks on the roof are carved images of lotus that are painted. On both sides of the Bimah are two rows of bench. There is a spiral staircase to climb up to the second Bimah.

Sites

Jew Town

Historic Jew Town, the heart of the once-thriving Cochin Jewish community, is known for its old-world charm and 16th-century Paradesi Synagogue. Quaint shops around Synagogue Lane and Jew Town Road sell antiques, carvings, and vintage collectibles, along with Keralan crafts and aromatic spices. Laid-back outdoor cafes and artsy eateries, some in heritage buildings, serve local specialties and Western fare. The neighborhood was once lined with Jewish homes and shops that are now mostly owned by Muslims. Some of the wrought-iron windows and outer walls retain their Star of David decorations, some side by side with swastikas, the Indian good-luck symbol that the Nazis co-opted. Souvenir and antique shops beckon with names like Café Jew Town and Shalom. A.B. Salem Street, which leads to the cemetery, is padlocked behind a gate. The street is named for a community leader, lawyer, teacher and follower of Mahatma Gandhi. Images Credit: Chendamangalam Synagogue, Paradesi Synagogue and Kadavumbagam synagogue (Ernakulam) to the Ministry of Tourism Kerala.

Sites

Kadavumbagam Synagogue

In a most unlikely setting, the Kadavambagam synagogue in Ernakulam (a 45-minute drive away from Jew Town) sits in the midst of a crowded market, hidden behind a plant and aquarium shop called Cochin Blossoms that incorporates hamsas on its sign. The current synagogue is the restored oldest synagogue of the Malabar Jews, with a Sefer Torah scroll and offering occasional services. It was established in 1200 CE and restored several times through the centuries on the same site. It is modeled on the earliest synagogue of the Malabar Jews at Muziris from the ancient times of Mediterranean sea trade with Kerala. The earliest synagogue of the ancient Malabar Jews is today submerged in the sea following the gradual rise of sea level over several millennia. Although the Chendamangalam Synagogue is the oldest surviving synagogue structure in Kerala and Indian subcontinent (established in 1166 CE), its Torah scrolls were taken to Israel by it congregation in 1952. This makes the Kadavumbhagham Ernakulam synagogue the oldest Malabar Jewish synagogue today (since its restoration in 2018) with a Torah scroll that is occasionally used for services. The Paradesi Sephardic synagogue at Mattancherry also has Torah scrolls but it was established much later in 1568. The Sabbath services at the Kadavumbhagam Ernakulam synagogue continued till 1972 when a large portion of the community immigrated to Israel by 1972 along with the Torah scrolls. For decades, the Kadavumbhagham Synagogue at Ernakulam remained without any Sabbath services and without a Sefer Torah. Today the synagogue is nested within the bustling market at Ernakulam with a thriving aquarium in the front area near the synagogue operating since 1985. After much effort, the Kadavumbhagham Ernakulam synagogue was restored and the Sefer Torah brought back to the synagogue in 2018 after 46 years. Today there are only two synagogues in Kochi that have Torah scrolls: the Paradesi synagogue of the Sephardic Jews in Mattancherry and the Kadavumbhagham Ernakulam synagogue of the ancient Malabar Jews.

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Tours of Kochi

Kosher Travel

India Kosher Travel

This tour offers a unique opportunity to delve into India's rich and diverse Jewish history, dating back over two thousand years. Explore the historic synagogues and vibrant Jewish communities of Mumbai and Cochin, where you can witness the blending of Jewish and Indian cultures. Take a relaxing houseboat cruise in Kumarakom and immerse yourself in the scenic beauty of this region. In Cochin, don't miss the chance to witness a Kathakali Dance show, a traditional Indian dance form known for its intricate facial expressions and hand gestures. Finally, experience the bustling streets of Delhi from a different perspective with a thrilling rickshaw ride through the city. This tour is a must-visit for anyone interested in Jewish history, culture, and the fusion of different civilizations.

Tours

Jewish Heritage and Cochin Highlights

Visit Cochin’s historic synagogues, remnants of its once-flourishing Jewish community. Walk along Jew Street to the exquisite 450-year-old Paradesi Synagogue. The stunning interiors boast Belgian chandeliers and Chinese tiles. Of seven local synagogues, it is the only one still in operation. Visit cemetery in Mattancherry; explore the area’s antique shops and spice markets, the dramatic Chinese fishing nets. Enjoy the amazing Ernakulam Synagogue that has just been renovated, and the Parur Synagogue, an architectural gem dating from 1616 that is now a museum.

Tours

Alleppey Backwater Tour

Travel to the Kerala Backwaters and enjoy a House boat ride around the Canals of Kerala. The Backwaters are some of the most peaceful places we know on the planet, lunch on the house boat. Return to Cochin.

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מסעדות בסגנון יהודי JEWISH STYLE RESTAURANTS

Restaurants

Ginger House

Authentic Kerala cuisine at our in-house Ginger House Restaurant. Visitors as well as in-house guests are warmly welcomed at the restaurant. It is a place one must spend some time in. Being seemed as an architectural marvel, completely made up ofold-age antique furniture and providing the visitors the great view of Kochi bay waters, the ambience is perfect. The fresh good food and quirky arty ambience attracts the foreigners from around the world.

Restaurants

Mocha Art Cafe

As the name suggests, Mocha art cafe is where one heads when in the mood for some relaxing enjoyment, tasty coffee, and soul-satisfying ambience! As you walk through the Synagogue lane in Jew town Mattanchery a panoramic view of the historic Jewish Synagogue greets your eyes. This oldest synagogue in the country attracts thousands of tourists and is one of the most visited spots in Kochi. However next to the Synagogue is another Dutch building 400-year-old and once upon a time home to the Rabbis who worked in the Synagogue. Back in 1910 Abdul Karim Mohammed a spice trader bought the building and converted it into a warehouse. Karim Mohammed passed on this legacy to his son AKM Sulaiman. As tourism flourished in Kochi and the number of tourists visiting the Synagogue increased Mr. Sulaiman moved his business from the Dutch building to another part of the city. From then on, this building with its treasure trove of history remained closed for almost thirty years until Junaid Sulaiman grandson of Mr. Karim Mohammed decided to convert it into an art cafe.

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מדריכים בעיר CITY GUIDES

Guides

Joyce Xavier

Joyce is a graduate in Economics & Indian History and holds a RED CARD Tourist Guide License from the Ministry of Tourism & Culture, Government of India. He also obtained a Diploma in German Language and has undergone periodical refresher courses for Tourist Guides conducted by his parent department as well as the renowned institute 'KITTS' (Kerala Institute of Tourism And Travel Studies). Joyce offers a vehicle for transportation and is open to customizing the tour as per the preferences of his clients.

Guides

Jayachandran V G

Regional Level Tour Guide license holder under Ministry of Tourism Govt.of India since 1989 . Guided extensively through out Southern region of India with guests from different part of the Globe. Working as Tour Manager for several Indian companies in handling their guests to Europe,Africa,Middle East,Srilanka and many other countries. Received Best performer recognitons from M/S Saga Holidays ,UK, Farhorizon tours ,India,Overseas Adventure Travel, Gate1 travel USA etc,apart from hundreds of letters of apreciations from individual Guests. Graduate from University of Kerala in Botany, Masters in English Lit, Diploma in Russian language and Destination Management in Tourism from Kerala Institute for Tourism and Travel Studies. Organised training sessions for collegues in India, presented various topics on webinar forum for Indian tour guides

Guides

Rahel Musleah

India is a vast country of dramatic contrasts, extraordinary cultural richness, and religious diversity. Any visitor to India can choose from a wide array of tours. What distinguishes ours is its "insider's perspective." I was born in Calcutta to a family with Baghdadi roots; I live in the United States today and speak widely about the Indian Jewish communities--always adding music wherever I go. My tour partner, Joshua Shapurkar, is a member of the Bene Israel community of Bombay and has been leading general and Jewish tours for twenty-five years. Together we have an intimate knowledge of the Indian Jewish communities and close relationships with its members. You, too, will be treated as part of our broader family. You will meet and interact with community members, enjoy local hospitality, experience India's magnificent cultural tapestry, and enjoy its rare Jewish treasures. We will attend Shabbat services together in Bombay and Calcutta. I will lead services in the Baghdadi-Indian tradition in the Maghen David Synagogue, where my father was rabbi, and share my memories with you as we walk together through streets and bazaars. Our accommodations are deluxe--and you won't have to worry about meals or transportation in India: almost everything is included. Please join us on this unforgettable adventure!

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קראו עוד בלוגים וספרים אלקטרוניים READ MORE BLOGS AND EBOOKS

World Jewish Travel Official January 15, 2023

The Jewish Story of Kochi, India

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Hotels in Kochi

Hotels

Taj Malabar Resort and Spa

A jewel nestled in Cochin’s exquisite beauty, Taj Malabar Resort & Spa, Cochin enchants you with its lovely old-world charm combined with world class luxury services. Perched at the tip of the Willingdon Island, overlooking the harbour, you get the feeling of being cut off from the rest of the world, peacefully floating out towards the horizon. Open views of the harbour with the Chinese Fishing nets in the distance, make you feel welcomed; a beautiful start to a journey that only gets better at our hotel in Cochin.

Hotels

Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty

Perched on 26 acres of plush green land on the serene Bolgatty Island, Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty is a waterfront urban resort overlooking the backwaters of Vembanad Lake. Offering Lake and city views, there are 264 luxurious guestrooms including 38 suites and 4 villas with plunge pools and private access.

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