Source- This post on Kerala Jewish communities has been created based on the article “Once thriving, now all but gone: a history of Kerala’s Jewish communities” published in “Indian Express” on 13 August 2024.
Why in News?
Kerala’s Jewish communities, which were once vibrant population, have been seeing a significant decline in population. From an estimated 20,000-50,000 in the mid-1940s, India’s Jewish population today stands at around 4,000-5,000, mostly from the Bene Israel community.
Kerala’s Jewish population was historically divided into two main groups- the Malabar Jews and the Paradesi Jews.
About Malabar Jews
1. Malabar Jews, also known as Cochin Jews, trace their origins to the days of King Solomon, approximately 3,000 years ago. They were initially settled in Cranganore (modern-day Kodungallur in Thrissur district).
2. Copper plates from around 1,000 CE detail the privileges granted to the Jewish leader by the Hindu ruler of Cranganore. From the 14th century onwards, especially after the Portuguese arrival, they moved south to Cochin, where they were welcomed by the local king.
About Paradesi Jews
1. Paradesi Jews, meaning “foreign” Jews, arrived in India in the 15th and 16th centuries from the Iberian Peninsula due to persecution by Catholic rulers. They settled on the Malabar coast and in Madras (now Chennai), engaging in the spice trade and the diamond trade.
2. Paradesi Jews adopted the Malayalam language and local customs, but eventually distanced themselves from the older Jewish community in Kerala, leading to the formation of two distinct groups.
3. Paradesi Jews were often referred to as White Jews and Malabar Jews as Black Jews.
Prominent Families and Community Decline
1. The Koder family was among the most prominent in the Paradesi Jewish community. Samuel Koder, a leading figure, managed the Cochin Electric Company and was a noted authority on the history of Kerala’s Jews.
2. Since the 1950s, there has been a steady migration of Kerala Jews to Israel, where over 4,000 Cochinim (mostly Malabar Jews) now reside. Today, only 14 Malabar Jews and one Paradesi Jew remain in Kerala.
Legacy and Remaining Structures
1. “Jew Streets” in Mattancherry and Kochi, along with formerly Jewish-owned shops and businesses, serve as remnants of Kerala’s Jewish heritage.
2. Kerala has seven synagogues, the most prominent being the Paradesi Synagogue in Mattancherry, built in 1568 CE. Three other Paradesi synagogues at Paravur, Chendamangalam, and Mala are now protected monuments.
3. The Kavumbhagam Ernakulam Synagogue is one of the remaining Malabari synagogues. It was taken over by the state government in 2021 for conservation.
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