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Jewish Indian history
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. David Sassoon Library:
‘In 1863, Sir David Sassoon, a leading
banker of Mumbai, contributed Rs.60,000/- to the government to
build a Mechanic's Institute,now called the David Sassoon Library.This
Venetian Gothic styled structure was completed in 1870’ according
to its site. Address: 152 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kala Ghoda, Fort.
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. Flora Fountain:
According to Dr.Shaul Sapir,a Baghdadi Jewish
author, “Mumbai's Baghdadi Jews believe that the name Flora is
none other than Flora Sassoon (1859-1936),the enterprising wife of
Solomon Sassoon (1841-94)”. Address:Veer Nariman Road,Mahatma
Gandhi Road, Kala Ghoda, Fort.
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. Shaar HaRahamimSynagogue (Bene Israel):
‘Gates of Mercy’
is the oldest synagogue in Mumbai. Built in 1796, it is located on
Samuel Street, a street named after Shaar HaRahamim founder, a
Jewish military officer named Samuel Ezekiel Diveker. Address: 254
Samuel Street, Mandvi.
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. Shaare Rason Synagogue (Bene Israel):
‘Gates ofWill’Synagogue
was the second synagogue built in Mumbai in 1843, located at a
walking distance from Shaar HaRahamim. Address: 90 Tantanpura
Street, Mandvi.
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. Etz HaeemPrayer Hall (Bene Israel):
'Tree of Life’Prayer Hall. The
current location was built in 1927 but the congregation was founded
in 1888 by a social worker who also served as the head of the school,
Haeem Samuel Kehimkar. Address: 19 Umarkhadi, 2nd Cross Lane,
Balu Changu Patil Marg.
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.MagenDavid Synagogue (Baghdadi):
This synagogue was built
in 1861. English architectural elements and influences are strongly
evident in both Baghdadi synagogues in Mumbai. Together with
Knesseth Eliyahoo and Ohel David in Pune, Magen David is under
the umbrella of Sir Jacob Sassoon Synagogues & Charity Trusts. It
has modest rooms for rent by travelers on the premises. Sir Jacob
Sassoon High School is located on the grounds and today is mostly
attended by Muslim children from the heavily Muslim populated
Byculla neighborhood. Address: 340 Sir J. J. Road, Byculla.
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. Magen Hassidim (Bene Israel):
What started as a Prayer Hall
in 1904, became, structurally, the largest Bene Israel synagogue in
Mumbai. ‘Defender of the Pious’, this well-preserved synagogue
has a small yet vibrant community. Address: 8 Mohomed Shahid
Marg, Agripada.
Knesseth Eliyahoo (Baghdadi) Synagogue
Magen Hassidim (Bene Israel) Synagogue
Shaar HaRahamim (Bene Israel) Synagogue
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. Tiphaereth Israel (Bene Israel):
‘Glory of Israel’ was initially
established in 1886 as Jacob Circle Prayer Hall.The synagogue was
built in 1924. Address: 92, K. K. Marg, Jacob Circle.
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. JCC:
The Progressive Movement in India known as the Jewish
Religious Union was founded in 1925. Since 1999 the Progressive
Movement has been conducting the High Holidays services at the JCC
which is supported by the AJJDC (American Jewish Joint Distribution
Committee). The AJJDC also operates community activities at the
JCC and is the headquarters for community relief programs.
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. Jewish cemeteries:
There are several Jewish cemeteries in
Mumbai, in Mazgaon, Worli and Bandra, among other locations
around the city.
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. Schools:
Visit Sir Elly Kaddorie School,ORT and Sir Jacob Sassoon
High School (on the Magen David compound).
There are synagogues just outside of Mumbai in Kurla,Panvel,Thane,
Pune and Alibaug, and in New Delhi and Cochin.
Shulamit Shaulker Madnick (Shulie Madnick) is a freelance food andTravel
writer and photographer.Followher food blog
www.foodwanderings.com,on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Copyright material @shuliemadnick