Jews in India have had a long and peaceful history since their arrival during the times of the Kingdom of Judah. This was likely because the Jews adopted Indian traditions and customs, and yet thrived as a distinct religion. The exact number of Jews in India is difficult to estimate, but there are five Jewish communities. Here we explore the history of each one.
The Cochin Jews
There are two parts to this group. The first is the Malabari Jews community, which came to India as early as the 12th century and settled down as tradesmen. The second is the Paradesi Jews, who came to India in the 16th century and settled alongside the Malabaris. A number of Cochin Jews migrated to Israel in the mid-1950s, but the Paradesi largely remained, holding on to the three copper plates promising perpetuity given to them by the king of Cranganore.
Today, the Paradesi Jews continue to thrive in a part of Cochin city (now known as Kochi) called the “Jew Town”. You can see the Star of David etched into the lattices of many homes, and you can buy a postage stamp with the Maghen David from local post offices. The Paradesi Synagogue is part of the “living heritage of India” and holds several Torahs, crowned in solid gold and precious stones, gifted by the Maharaja of Cochin.
The Bene Israel Jews
Some claim the Bene Israel Jews of India are one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel but there is no official record of this fact. Bene Israel Jews actually say they arrived in India after centuries of travel through west and central Asia and settled almost in isolation until Cochin merchant David Rahabi discovered them in the 18th century. He took three young men to Cochin where he educated them in Hebrew and the rudiments of Judaism and sent them back as religious leaders.
The Bene Israeli Jews flourished under British colonel rule and most of them were skeptical of a future after the British left India. A large number moved to Israel after India gained independence while the rest stayed and thrived – Ruby Myers was one of the highest paid actresses of the time and the community routinely produced actors, writers, poets and other professionals. Most remaining Bene Israel Jews reside in and around Mumbai (formerly Bombay) and their Ohel David Synagogue in Pune is the largest outside Israel in Asia.
Baghdadi Jews
A number of Jews came to India from Iraq, Iran, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Syria and Afghanistan, and were collectively known as the Baghdadi Jews. They arrived in Surat (Gujarat) in the 18th century and migrated to different parts of the country, including to Bombay (Mumbai) and Calcutta (Kolkata) as traders and philanthropists. Eventually, the dwindling numbers at Surat saw the razing of the synagogue and the cemetery also fell into disuse. In places like Calcutta, the Baghdadi Jews continued to flourish as traders in jute and tea and built five synagogues (of which two are still operating) and the Jewish Girls’ School.
Bnei Menashe
The Bnei Menashe is a group of indigenous people from the northeastern region of India who claims to be one of the Lost Tribes of Israel, descendants from an ancestor Manmasi, the Hebrew menasseh, son of Joseph. They had largely converted to Christianity in the late 19th century but after contact with the Israelis were educated in normative Orthodox Judaism. Most of them have completed the process of conversion and moved to Israel, while some await complete conversion and continue to learn Hebrew and the Jewish cultures.
Bene Ephraim
The Bene Ephraim of Andhra Pradesh also claims to have descended from the Lost Tribes of Israel and have been following Judaism since the 1980s. While they do follow some Jewish traditions, there is some controversy about their lineage. Social scientists are of the opinion that these people accepted Christianity to enhance their socio-economic status and are doing the same with Judaism.
The majority of Jews in India have migrated to Israel, and make up about 1% of Israel’s population. However, the Jewish presence in India is still strong, in spite of rapidly dwindling numbers, and Jewish worship and practices are as much a part of Indian life as any other religion.
Explore the rich history of Jews in India for yourself on the Jewish Heritage India Tour 2015.
