After centuries in India, the last Cochin Jews try to keep their history alive
Summary
The Jewish community in Kochi, India, has roots going back centuries but now has very few members left. Two remaining members, Keith Hallegua and Elias Josephai, continue to care for old synagogues and keep Jewish traditions alive despite the decline.Key Facts
- Kochi’s Jewish community dates back hundreds of years.
- Keith Hallegua is the last Jewish person living in the historic Jew Town neighborhood.
- Elias Josephai is another remaining Jew in Kochi who maintains the Kadavumbagam Synagogue.
- The Paradesi Synagogue is 458 years old and a key historic Jewish site.
- The Kadavumbagam Synagogue is about 12 centuries old.
- Jewish population in Kochi greatly decreased after much of the community emigrated in the 1950s.
- Hallegua and Josephai observe Jewish holidays and preserve their heritage alone or with very few others.
- Their efforts include maintaining synagogues and sharing memories of past community life.
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