Israeli Minister’s Visit To Canada Sparks Controversy And Educational Mission
June 1, 2023
Concerns over protocol breach, focus on Jewish education result
Menu
Popular Articles
Read More »
Canadian Parliament Event To Host Anti-Israel Who’s Who
June 1, 2023
The event listing refers to the “chilling” effect of the IHRA working definition
Stop The Lie: Israel Never Ethnically Cleansed Palestinians
June 1, 2023
Palestinian claims of forced expulsion and victimhood countered by historical evidence
Yezidi Leader Disputes Fable Of “Operation Ezra”
June 1, 2023
Credit being taken where it is not due, claims former Winnipeg activist
No To Gelman As US Ambassador To Israel
June 1, 2023
Sitting in her role in Jerusalem would allow Susie Gelman to wage diplomatic war against Israel
Anti-Zionist Revisionism Sometimes Starts In The Classroom
June 1, 2023
Montreal’s McGill University rife with misconceptions about Jewish history
A ‘Foreign Affairs’ Article Wants To Destroy Israel
June 1, 2023
Four professors who wrote this defamatory rant are indoctrinating generation of students
Celebrating The Journey Of Israeli Immigrants: Yaron Dekal Inspires Israeli-Canadian Winnipegers
June 1, 2023
Yaron Dekal’s documentary sheds light on Israeli immigrants living in North America
Celebration Of Life Concerts Upcoming In Calgary, Montreal And Toronto
June 1, 2023
Beit Halochem Canada fundraising events celebrate Israel’s 75th birthday
Israel’s President In Baku To Further Strategic Partnership
June 1, 2023
Herzog calls his visit to Azerbaijan “a dream come true”
The Cochin Jews claim to be the oldest Diaspora group outside the Middle East
- 28 September 2022
- 7:03 pm
Click an icon above to share, email, or save this article
- 28 September 2022
- 7:03 pm
Thapan Dubayehudi (second left) and his bride celebrate their wedding at the Kadavumbhagham Ernakulam Synagogue in Kochi last month, under the auspices of community leader Elias Josephai (second right). (Photo: Thapan Dubayehudi)
Click an icon above to share, email, or save this article
(JNS) The Jewish community of Kerala, India, better known as Cochin Jews, has been shrinking ever since most of its members emigrated to Israel. Those who remain claim to be “the oldest diaspora community outside the Middle East.”
Today, only 15 Jews live in Kerala. An estimated 6,000 to 8,000 moved to Israel or elsewhere. The youth still in Kerala increasingly marry outside the community.
The community commemorated the annual Onam festival on Sept. 8. In addition, last month its members conducted their first wedding in more than a decade, a notable achievement given how few Jews live in the state.
Newlywed Thapan Dubayehudi, in an exclusive interview with JNS, said, “Onam is observed by all religious groups in Kerala, and called ‘the harvest festival of the state.’ ”
Although Kerala, population around 35 million, is majority Hindu, like the rest of India, it has a diverse religious landscape with a long Jewish presence.
“You will notice many women in their striking, colorful garb, the saree,” said Dubayehudi, 25. “Onam is very important for the local Jewish community as well, and we celebrate by preparing a traditional sadhya (a meal consisting of vegetarian dishes served on a banana leaf) at home.”
Legend holds that their ancestors arrived in the subcontinent shortly after the First Temple was destroyed in 587 BCE. Their claim to be the oldest Jewish community outside the Middle East is contested by another Indian group, the Mumbai Jews.
In the 1500s, a different group came to Kerala from Europe, called the Paradesis, sometimes referred to as “White Jews.” They were mostly Ladino-speaking Sephardim from Spain and Portugal. The older, established community became known as Malabaris, and the two groups remained distinct and sometimes experienced frictions.
The Cochin Jewish dialect, Judeo-Malayalam, which is spoken by both Paradesis and Malabaris, is now considered endangered.
Many moved to Israel in the 1960s and ’70s; this was a time when many synagogues and congregations shut down very quickly.
Get thej.ca a Pro Israel Voice by Email. Never miss a top story that effects you, your family & your community
‘The one-man army keeping the community alive’
Zipora Meir is among those who emigrated in this era. She reminisces about “enjoying the atmosphere of the Onam festival” at her Hindu friends’ homes.
Elias Josephai, the caretaker of the Kadavumbhagham Ernakulam Synagogue in the city of Kochi, is better known as “Babu Uncle,” Babu being a term of respect meaning “boss” or “father.” He stands out as the one striving to keep the remnants of Jewish life going in Kerala. Meir describes him as “the one-man army keeping the community and synagogue alive.”
Cochin Jews in Israel still celebrate Onam. “This year’s celebration was conducted in the house of Menahem Pal some days ago. The ambassador of India to Israel, Sanjeev Singla, and other officials honored us with their presence,” said Meir.
Cochin Jews celebrate the Onam festival in Israel on Sept. 8. (Photo: Courtesy)
Dubayehudi said that “most of the younger generation have already emigrated or are in the process of emigrating. Those who choose to stay in Cochin are almost exclusively older; some who feel that their roots are grounded here and say that they ‘wouldn’t have anything to do’ if they were in Israel.”
“Many of my relatives have made Aliyah,” Josephai said, “but I feel like I would be like a fish out of water if I moved to Israel.”
Dubayehudi added, “I am extremely honored and blessed to have had my wedding conducted at the Kadavumbhagham Ernakulam Synagogue and officiated by Babu Uncle.
“But it was far from a proper Jewish wedding. There was no minyan or chuppah, just a ring exchange and prayers, b’ezerat Hashem (‘With the help of Heaven’)! Later, we intend to conduct a more ‘complete’ Jewish wedding in Austria at the Vienna Synagogue (the Stadttempel), which my wife is a part of.”
Meanwhile, the community in India struggles to hold on, to maintain its cultural memory and customs as much as possible. “Realistically speaking, I don’t think there is much future for the Kerala Jewish community. It is finished!” said Josephai.
Avi Kumar is a historian of Sri Lankan descent who lives in New York.
He has a unique spin on current affairs.
Click an icon above to share, email, or save this article
Click an icon above to share, email, or save this article
Read More
Thank you for choosing TheJ.Ca as your source for Canadian Jewish News.
We do news differently!
Our positioning as a Zionist News Media platform sets us apart from the rest. While other Canadian Jewish media are advocating increasingly biased progressive political and social agendas, TheJ.Ca is providing more and more readers with a welcome alternative and an ideological home.
We revealed the incursion of anti-Israel progressive elements such as IfNotNow into our communities. We have exposed the distorted hateful agenda of the “progressive” left political radicals who brought Linda Sarsour to our cities, and we were first to report on many disturbing incidents of Nazi-based hate towards Jews across Canada.
But we can’t do it alone. We need your HELP!
Our ability to thrive and grow in 2020 and beyond depends on the generosity of committed readers and supporters like you.
Monthly support is a great way to help us sustain our operations. We greatly appreciate any contributions you can make to support Jewish Journalism.
We thank you for your ongoing support.
Happy reading!
Thank you for choosing TheJ.Ca as your source for Canadian Jewish News.
We do news differently!
Our positioning as a Zionist News Media platform sets us apart from the rest. While other Canadian Jewish media are advocating increasingly biased progressive political and social agendas, TheJ.Ca is providing more and more readers with a welcome alternative and an ideological home.
We revealed the incursion of anti-Israel progressive elements such as IfNotNow into our communities. We have exposed the distorted hateful agenda of the “progressive” left political radicals who brought Linda Sarsour to our cities, and we were first to report on many disturbing incidents of Nazi-based hate towards Jews across Canada.
But we can’t do it alone. We need your HELP!
Our ability to thrive and grow in 2020 and beyond depends on the generosity of committed readers and supporters like you.
Monthly support is a great way to help us sustain our operations. We greatly appreciate any contributions you can make to support Jewish Journalism.
We thank you for your ongoing support.
Happy reading!
Sponsored Content
cOMING SOON…….
Breaking News
Recent
Features
News
Current Events
Opinions
Politics
Religion
Culture
Memoriam and Obituaries
PodcastS
Subscribe Now
Receive the latest in community & international Jewish news direct to your inbox