Summary
Kadavumbhagam Mattancherry Synagogue aka Kadavumbhagam Synagogue ( Mal: കടവു൦ഭാഗ൦ മട്ടാഞ്ചേരി ജൂതപള്ളി or കടവു൦ഭാഗ൦ ജൂതപള്ളി ) is a Jewish synagogue located in Mattancherry, a locality in Kochi, in the coastal state of Kerala. It is one of the oldest extant synagogues in India, built in 1544 A.D.[1][2][3] It was built by the Malabar Jews who are the oldest jewish settlers in India, believed to have arrived as traders in the ancient port city of Muziris.[4][5][6][7] It was the second to be built in Mattancherry, after the Kochangadi Palli in 1344 A. D., and is one of three synagogues in the area.[5][7][6] The others being the Thekkumbhagam Mattancherry Synagogue (1647 A.D) (extinct) and the Paradesi Synagogue (1568 A.D) of the Paradesi jews of Cochin.
| Kadavumbhagam Mattancherry Synagogue
בית הכנסת കടവു൦ഭാഗ൦ മട്ടാഞ്ചേരി ജൂതപള്ളി | |
|---|---|
 Interiors of the synagogue in the Israel Museum | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Orthodox Judaism |
| Rite | Sephardi |
| Status | Under restoration |
| Location | |
| Location | Mattancherry, Kerala |
| Country | India |
| Geographic coordinates | 9°57′11″N 76°15′37″E / 9.953125°N 76.2603797°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Synagogue |
| Style | Cochin Jewish Architecture |
| Completed | 1544 A.D |
| Direction of façade | South |
The name of the synagogue is believed to refer to a much older synagogue that once stood in Kodungaloor.[6][7][5][4] This synagogue is considered as one of the most ornately carved and decorated Malabar Synagogues in Kerala, particularly its wooden furnishes and interior sanctuary.[8][9][7] The name means "by the riverside" and refers to a boat dock that stood opposite the complex until the 1960s.[6][10][8][7] This palli (synagogue) was renowned for its divine miracles and stories associated and was revered by both the Malabar Jews and non Jewish locals.[11][10][12]
In 1955, the entire congregation made aliyah to Israel leaving the synagogue in disuse. It was initially encroached upon and later made into a warehouse for coir storage.[7][2][6][5] The interior furniture and women's bimah were shipped and preserved in the Israel Museum while it's hekal is presently in moshav Nehalim in Israel.[6][7][8][10]
In September 2019, after decades of neglect, the entire front portion of the sanctuary collapsed in the heavy monsoon rainfall.[13] After much public outcry,[14] the Kerala Archaeology Department took possession of the monument to save it.[12][13] Currently it is being restored to function as a heritage museum.[9][15][12]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "The Synagogues of Kerala". cochinsyn.com. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
- ^ a b Daniel, Ruby (2002). Ruby of Cochin : an Indian Jewish woman remembers. Varda Books. ISBN 1-59045-649-1. OCLC 1243580690.
- ^ "Cochin Jews", Islam, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism, Encyclopedia of Indian Religions, Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, p. 181, 2018, doi:10.1007/978-94-024-1267-3_100544, ISBN 978-94-024-1266-6, retrieved 11 October 2021
- ^ a b Johnson, Barbara C. Barbara C. Johnson collection of Malayalam Jewish songs from Kerala, India. OCLC 1082267935.
- ^ a b c d Katz, Nathan (1993). The last Jews of Cochin: Jewish identity in Hindu India. Univ. of South Carolina Press. ISBN 0-87249-847-6. OCLC 246707556.
- ^ a b c d e f Edna., Fernandes (2009). The last Jews of Kerala. Portobello. OCLC 705537625.
- ^ a b c d e f g Waronker, Jay (20 October 2010). "The Synagogues Of Kerala, India: Their Architecture, History, Context, And Meaning".
- ^ a b c Rabinowitz Louis, Isaac (1952). Far East mission. Eagle Press. OCLC 1116199220.
- ^ a b M. K. Sunil Kumar (3 July 2021). "Synagogue should be a hub of Kerala Jews history: Experts". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ a b c S., Koder, S. (1974). History of the Jews of Kerala. [publisher not identified]. OCLC 3415398.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ אופירה, גמליאל (2009). Jewish Malayalam women's songs. [publisher not identified]. OCLC 457121154.
- ^ a b c M. K. Sunil Kumar (13 September 2021). "Ernakulam: Archaeology department erects a roof over synagogue in Mattancherry | Kochi News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ a b Harigovind, Abhinaya (11 September 2019). "Piece of Jewish history reduced to rubble in rain in Kerala". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ M. K. Sunil Kumar (29 June 2021). "Kochi : Call to protect Malabari synagogue gets louder | Kochi News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ "Kadavumbhagam Synagogue on a path to revival". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 10 October 2021.