Jews started settling in Mumbai (then Bombay) and other coastal towns of Maharashtra during the 18th century, due to its economic opportunities. [1] The Jewish community of Bombay consisted of the remnants of three distinct communities: the Bene Israeli Jews of Konkan, the Baghdadi Jews of Iraq, and the Cochin Jews of Malabar. [2] Presently, there are about tenactive synagogues in Maharashtra, out of which nine are in Mumbai [3] and one is in Pune. [4] Apart from this there are a couple of prayer hall and about 11 closed synagogues.
There are a total of tenactive synagogues in Maharashtra. Six of these are located in downtown Mumbai. There are three on the outskirts of Mumbai, including one each in Thane, Alibaug and Panvel. Pune also houses one active synagogue.
Name | Location | Photo | Brief Description |
---|---|---|---|
Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue | Fort Area, Mumbai | Located at the heart of Mumbai, Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue with its bright blue and white exterior is popularly known as the blus synagogue. It was constructed in 1884 and is a Bagdadi Jew Synagogue. [5] [6] The interiors are well laid out with light filtering through the stained glass windows. Brass chandeliers and ornamentation adds to the beauty of the interiors. | |
Shaar Harahamim Synagogue | Masjid Bhandar, Mumbai | Shaar Harahamim literally means "Gateway of Mercy". Built in 1796 it is the oldest synagogue in Mumbai. It is also known as the Old Synagogue. It belongs to the Bene Israel group. [7] It is located in a very congested area near the Masjid railway station. | |
Share Rason Synagogue | Israel Moholla, Mumbai | Share Rason literally meaning the "Gateway of Desire" is the second oldest Synagogue of Mumbai and belongs to the Bene Israel community. This synagogue was created as a conflict in the management of the Shaar Harhamim Synagogue. The Share Rason came up in the nearby area and came to be known as the "New Synagogue". The older Shaar Harhamim Synagogue came to be known as "Old Synagogue". [8] | |
Magen David David | Byculla, Mumbai | A Baghdadi Synagogue built by David Sassoon in 1861. [5] Following the Victorian style of architecture the synagogue has a high steeple fitted with a clock. [9] The interior of the synagogue is a double-height sanctuary with women's gallery wrapping around three sides of the upper floor. In the 2010s the exterior and interior of the Magen David Synagogue have been painted blue and white. [10] | |
Magen Hasidim Synagogue | Byculla, Mumbai | Magen Hasidin, literally meaning the Shield of the Pious, is the largest Bene Israel synagogue in Mumbai. The original synagogue started in 1904 but was shifted to the larger present location in 1931. The interiors are more lively with a decorative wooden central platform. The women's gallery is on the first floor balcony. Decorative chandeliers lit up the interior with the large windows allowing the natural light to filter in. [11] | |
Tephereth Israel Synagogue | Jacob Circle, Mumbai | Tephereth Israel or Tifereth Israel literally means Glory of Israel. It is the third Bene Israel Synagogue in Mumbai. It started in 1896 and moved to the present location in 1924. The building had undergone several extensions and modifications ever since. The ladies gallery lies on the northern side of the synagogue. Hanging brass and glass lanterns, ceiling fans, decorative metal window grilles and wall scones are part of the grand interior. [12] | |
Shaar Hashamaim Synagogue | Thane, Mumbai | Shaar Hashamaim, literally meaning Gateway of Heaven, is an active synagogue in the Thane region of Mumbai. It dates back to 1879 and belongs to the Bene Israel Jews. [13] [14] | |
Beth El Synagogue | Panvel, Mumbai | Beth El. literally meaning the House of God, is an active synagogue in the Panvel area. It is located just north of the Raigad District and the synagogue can be considered as the oldest of the Raigad Synagogues. It dates back to 1849 and belongs to the Bene Israel Jews. [15] | |
Magen Aboth Synagogue | Alibaug, Maharashtra | Magen Aboth, literally meaning Defender of the Brothers, in Alibaug is the only active synagogue in Raigad District. The synagogue dates back to 1910 and belongs to the Bene Israel Jews. It is a baroque style pink building with white borders. [16] | |
Ohel David Synagogue | Pune | Ohel David (literally meaning The Tent of David) is a prominent landmark of Pune. It is known as Lal Deval or Lal Deul (both mean red temple). It dates back to 1867 and was funded by David Sassoon and belongs to the Baghdadi Jews. The synagogue follows a distinct English Gothic style architecture. The complex houses the mausoleum of David Sassoon [4] [17] |
Apart from the synagogues Mumbai also houses two active Jewish prayer halls
There are about ten closed synagogues in Maharastra. Eight of these are located in Raigad District, one each in Mumbai and Pune.
The Bene Israel, also referred to as the "Shanivar Teli" or "Native Jew" caste, are a community of Jews in India. It has been suggested that they are the descendants of one of the Ten Lost Tribes via their ancestors who had settled there centuries ago. In the 19th century, after they were taught about normative Judaism, they migrated from villages in the Konkan region to nearby cities throughout British India—primarily to Mumbai, but also to Pune, Ahmedabad, and Karachi, where they gained prominent positions within the British colonial government and the Indian Army.
Alibag, also known as Alibaug, is a coastal city and a municipal council in Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. It is the headquarters of the Raigad district and is south of the city of Mumbai. Alibag is part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and is situated at a distance of about 96 km from Mumbai and 143 km from Pune. Alibag is a holy place for Goddess Shree Padmakshi Renuka. She also known as goddess of Konkan.
The history of the Jews in India dates back to antiquity. Judaism was one of the first foreign religions to arrive in the Indian subcontinent in recorded history. Desi Jews are a small religious minority who have lived in the region since ancient times. The 2,000-year history of Indian Jews was marked by a total absence of antisemitism from the Hindu majority and a visible assimilation in the local languages and cultures.
Panvel is a city and taluka in Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. It is highly populated due to its closeness to Mumbai. Panvel is also governed for development purpose by the body of Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Panvel Municipal Corporation is the first Municipal Corporation in Raigad and the 27th Municipal corporation of Maharashtra State.
David Sassoon was the treasurer of Baghdad between 1817 and 1829. He became the leader of the Jewish community in Mumbai after Baghdadi Jews emigrated there.
Satamkar is a Bene Israel family who lived for centuries in Kolaba in the Konkan region, India. Most members moved to Israel from the 1960s through the 1980s; some have settled elsewhere in the world.
History of the Jews in Pakistan goes back to 1839 when Pakistan was part of India. Various estimates suggest that there were about 1,000 to 2,500 Jews living in Karachi at the beginning of the 20th century, mostly comprising Iranian Jews and Bene Israel ; a substantial Jewish community lived in Rawalpindi, and a smaller community also lived in Peshawar. As of August 2023, around 1,000 Jewish population is etimated while living in different parts of the country including cities Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
The Knesset Eliyahoo, also Knesset Eliyahu, is an Orthodox Jewish synagogue located in downtown Mumbai, India. It is the city's second oldest Sephardic synagogue. It was established in 1884 by Jacob Elias Sassoon, son of Eliyahoo David Sassoon and grandson of David Sassoon; the latter had immigrated from Baghdad to India in 1832 due to persecution and had settled in Mumbai, then known as Bombay. It is maintained by the Jacob Sassoon Trust. The building's significance is attributed to its Jewish traditions as well as Indian and English colonial influences.
The Maghen Abraham Synagogue is one of the main synagogues in Lebanon.
There are many synagogues in India, although many no longer function as such and today vary in their levels of preservation. These buildings dating from the mid-sixteenth through the mid-20th century once served the country's three distinct Jewish groups—the ancient Cochin Jews, and Bene Israel communities as well as the more recent Baghdadi Jews.
Pen is a town and taluka in Raigad district of Indian state of Maharashtra. It is well known for world class Ganesh idols. It is the geographical and cultural center of Raigad district. Pen is also known for Salt cultivation by Aagri and Koli community.
The Gate of Mercy Synagogue, Hebrew: שער הרחמים) (also known as Shaar Harahamim and Juni Masjid is the oldest synagogue in Mumbai, India. The synagogue was built in 1796 by Samaji Hasaji Divekar, a Bene Israeli, near CSMT in South Mumbai. The synagogue was later rebuilt and moved to the present location at Mandvi in 1860. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the area was inhabited by a small but thriving Jewish community.
The history of the Jews in Mumbai, India, began when Jews started settling in Bombay during the first century, due to its economic opportunities. The Jewish community of Bombay consisted of the remnants of three distinct communities: the Bene Israeli Jews of Konkan, the Baghdadi Jews of Iraq, and the Cochin Jews of Malabar.
Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is a body of the Government of Maharashtra that is responsible for preparation of Regional Plan for MMR and the infrastructure development of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The MMRDA was set up on 26 January 1975 under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority Act, 1974 Government of Maharashtra as an apex body for planning and co-ordination of development activities in the Region.
Ohel David Synagogue, also called Laal Deval or Laal Deul is a synagogue in Pune, India.
Magen David Synagogue is located at the junction of Brabourne Road and Canning Street in Kolkata. Magen David is the second operating synagogue in Kolkata, the other is the Beth El Synagogue at Pollock Street.