Kerala Synagogues

Kerala is a melange of all world religions. Besides the assortment of religions like Hinduism, Islam and Christianity, Judaism also exists in God’s own country. Kerala abounds in temples, mosques, churches and also houses a few synagogues.

Synagogues are the holy shrines of the Jews or the place of worship for a Jewish congregation. The Jews (both black and white) came from the Middle East, Spain and South Africa in 700 BC and rooted themselves in Cranganore (an old port near Cochin).They spoke in Judeo-Malayalam and adapted themselves in the Keralalite habitat. However with the constitution of Jewish State of Israel, they set off towards Israel leaving India. Some of the ancient Jews also got converted to Christians after the arrival of St. Thomas. Presently Kerala has minimum number of Jews who form a minority section. Only 17 Jews are said to exist in the secular state and hence they are unable to participate in state politics also.

Most of the synagogues of Kerala have perished with time and also due to lack of proper maintenance. The Malabari Jews in Cochin erected the first synagogue in Kerala which was demolished when the Nasrani people of Kerala and the Malabari Jews were persecuted by the Portuguese in1500s.

Then under support of the Kochi ruler and as well as the Dutch the second synagogue sprang up in 1568 in Kochi and was known as the Jewish Synagogue or the Pardesi Synagogue, which exists still today after withstanding the ravages of time and circumstances. It is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations and is the only synagogue in Kochi that functions properly. In the Jew Town of Kochi 7 other synagogues also existed, but currently they are closed.

The other synagogues of Kerala are the synagogues of Chennamangalam, Mala, Ernakulum , Parur Synagogue and Kadakumbagam Synagogue. Kadakumbagam Synagogue belonging to the black Jews is neglected for many days and is not in a proper condition.

Architecture - All the synagogues have identical architectural traits. The principal bimah is made of silver or brass raised on a cemented or stone platform, an ark on the western partition and a veranda above the eastern entry to the chancel. There are individual seating arrangements for men and women. The gallery of the women is positioned at the rear of the veranda and can be accessed by an exterior staircase.

Last Updated on 24 May 2011