India 2018

Jews arrived here with King Solomon’s merchant fleet

a holy cow

There was trade between King Solomon’s kingdom (992-952 BCE) and the Malabar coast.  The Biblical name for India was ODHU. Teak, ivory, spices, sandalwood and peacocks were exported from India.

Destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE by the Romans and the consequent dispersal of the Jews to the four corners of the earth from Palestine.

Landing of the Jews at Shingly (Crangamore) in 72 CE.

The Rajah of Cranganore receives the Jews.

Joseph Rabban, leader of the Jews, from Cheramanperumal.  He was made Prince of Anjuvanam and thus a Jewish kingdom was established at Cranganore in 379 CE (or 1000).

Two of the original silver trumpets used in the Second Temple in Jerusalem, with the ineffable name carved on them, were brought to Cranganore and were blown by the Levites on the eve of the Sabbath. Once the Levites were late and the laity usurped their privilege and in the resulting quarrel the trumpets were unfortunately destroyed.

Destruction of Cranganore by the Moors and Portuguese in 1524.  Joseph Azar, the last Jewish Prince, swam to Cochin with his wife on his shoulders.  The Jews placed themselves under the protection of the Maharajah of Cochin.

The Maharajah welcomed them.

Construction of the Cochin synagogue next to the Maharajah’s palace and temple in 1568.

The Maharajah of Travancore presenting a gold crown for the Torah in 1805.

The last reigning Maharajah of Cochin addressing his Jewish subjects in the synagogue before relinquishing his throne in 1949.

One of many antique stores

Kerala Theater Arts

Oil Exchange Building

Spice market

God’s own country

Jew-Town Road, on the way to the synagogue (sign written in English and Malayalam)

Synagogue Road, leading to the synagogue.

Paradesi synagogue

Paradesi synagogue

Sarah Cohen, needlework, Jew Town