CONTACT ME

Wednesday, 14 February 2024

THEKKUMBHAGOM SYNAGOGUE OF ERNAKULAM: A MUCH AWAITED VISIT.

 Thekkumbhagom Synagogue Exterior, North-East Corner

 Thekkumbhagom Synagogue Interior-Main Sanctuary

I have been studying the Jewish heritage monuments of Kerala for some time. During this journey I had the opportunity to visit Kerala's synagogues and Jewish cemeteries on several occasions. However, there is one synagogue that has always remained elusive to me. It is the Thekkumbhagom Synagogue of Ernakulam- of which I have seen only the exterior. This is because the synagogue is closed to the general public and can be accessed only through special arrangement made with the Jewish community. Due to its unusual position crammed inside a heavily congested market area, even getting a view of the exterior is much difficult. Technically, I have also not accessed the Paradesi Jewish Cemetery of Mattancherry and the Jewish Cemetery in Kathrikadavu, Ernakulam. Nevertheless, I have managed to capture images of many grave monuments inside these cemeteries from different angles including aerial positions without even entering the compound, and believe me this is still possible with some extra effort and a little adventure. The one major advantage with cemeteries is that they are open areas, so you can still study tombs from outside, if not all of them. However, a closed synagogue is an entirely different case.

It is true that there are many online resources through which you can explore the Thekkumbhagom synagogue’s interior. However, observing a monument with your own eyes is a special experience that cannot be substituted by any other secondary source. Therefore, I was very excited to be part or a trip which offered such a rare opportunity. I owe my immense gratitude to Kerala Historical Research Society, which organized an ambitious one-day trip to all the Synagogues of Kerala on 4th February, 2024. A big credit goes to Joseph John Keethra and his efficient team for their meticulous planning and hard work. A special thanks to Prof. C. Karmachandran without his contacts the Thekkumbhagom synagogue would not have been accessible to me.

Today, Thekkumbhagom Ernakulam has the largest Jewish sanctuary building in Kerala. Although the current building dates to a period after 1939, the congregation claims 1200 AD as date of their origin in Ernakulam. Interestingly, it is the same date vouched by the adjacent Kadavumbhagom community for their origin in Ernakulam as well. On the other hand, the more scholarly accepted date of establishment for Thekkumbhagom Ernakulam is about four centuries later in 1580 AD only (Sassoon, 1932, p. 1056; Bar Giora, 1958, p. 236; Segal, 1993, p. 31). Having said so, the earliest known historical reference on Thekkumbhagom and Kadavumbhagom synagogues of Ernakulam appears further a century down in the Portuguese report by Moses Pereira de Paiva entitled ‘Noticias dos Judeos de Cochim’, dated 1687. In an earlier post (2012), I have discussed more about the Thekkumbhagom synagogue and the statistics of Ernakulum Jews in general, and uploaded photographs of the syanagogue's exterior. Click the LINK HERE, and follow the ‘older links’ at the end of each post for the photographs taken in 2012. For a short history, see the heritage plaque installed by the ‘Friends of Kerala Synagogues’ near the southern gate (see the photograph below), which by the way is missing now. The signboards with the contact details of the ‘Association of Kerala Jews’ placed at the main entrance of the synagogue is also not seen today (SEE HERE).

Heritage plaque by 'Friends of Kerala Synagogues'

There are two entrances to the synagogue compound, one from the north and the other from the south directions. The main gate is at the southern end which leads to the south-east corner of the synagogue from the crowded 'Jew Street' of Ernakulum through a narrow alley; whereas the obscure northern gate is positioned near the north-east corner of the synagogue and joins the equally busy Ernakulam market area through a congested side-street.

The southern main entrance and the alley to the Thekkumbhagom Synagogue from the Ernakulam Jew Street 

All synagogues in Kerala are aligned in the east-west direction. The entrance is usually through a gatehouse positioned at the eastern end and it opens outside to a main street that runs perpendicular to the synagogue complex, i.e. north-south direction. Thekkumbhagom of Ernakulam is the only exception where the main street (in this case the 'Jew Street') runs parallel to the synagogue in east-west direction. If at all a north-south street existed at some point of time, is difficult to confirm, but the possibility cannot be excluded. The current Thekkumbhagom synagogue also lacks a gatehouse and a breezeway which are typical to earlier synagogues of Kerala, but in a rare 1937 video taken by David G. Mandelbaum, we can clearly see the previous synagogue with a breezeway. 

Old Thekkumbhagom synagogue in 1937 before replaced by current structure in 1939

Unfortunately, whether the breezeway was connected to a gatehouse cannot be determined from this image. Eliyahu-Oron and Johnson (2021, p. 158) conjectures that the entrance building of earlier synagogue was free-standing, not connected to a compound wall and not opening onto the street like a gatehouse, but it fulfilled many of the same functions as the gatehouse in other Kerala synagogues. For more details and photographs of the current and previous synagogues, see my PREVIOUS POST HERE.

The present double-storey synagogue has a well-defined tall attic space, so the building looks very much like a three story building from outside. For a better understanding see the photograph I took in 2017.

The 3-storey appearance of the double-height Thekkumbhagom synagogue (north side view)

Don’t miss the characteristic gables and extended eaves of the synagogue roof, usually difficult to photograph-also included in the same PREVIOUS POST. In front of the main entrance to the synagogue are two large concrete pillars supporting a porch which opens to the women’s room at the second floor. Barabara C. Johnson has a photograph taken in 1968, where the porch could be seen reached by an outside staircase, which however is absent in a later image from the 1970s.

Thekkumbhagom synagogue-external staircase and porch (Photographs-1968 and 1970s)Photo credit-Barbara C. Johnson, 1968

Photo credit-The Center for Jewish Art, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 1970s

The current Thekkumbhagom Synagogue in Ernakulam is the newest structure among the existing synagogue buildings in Kerala. The construction of the synagogue began in 1939-1940 period, replacing an older synagogue. However, finishing touches of the new structure were not carried out. The uncertainty due to the World War II (1939-1945), socio-political changes after India's Independence (1947) and the Messianic expectations after establishment of the State of Israel (1948) were all factors that prevented the congregation to finish the final phases of the project. Since the majority of the Thekkumbhagom Jews immigrated to Israel, the synagogue became defunct and was closed in 1954 (Katz and Goldberg, 1993, p. 70).

Following the traditional architecture of Kerala Synagogues, Thekkumbhagom sanctuary also has an azara or ante room at the lower level and a women's gallery and an adjacent balcony directly above it. However, unlike other synagogues, where azara is separated from the main sanctuary by a solid partition wall, here there is a screen wall similar to the mechitza separating women's gallery and upper balcony. Today, the women's room is accessed through a wooden staircase from inside the azara, usually the provision is given outside the building through a gatehouse (see the 1968 photo above).

The double-height sanctuary of Thekkumbhagom synagogue has all the typical features of Kerala synagogues such as a Tebah at the center; a Heichal at the western wall; wooden staircase to the upper gallery, a balcony supported by twin pillars, wooden benches, clear and coloured glass oil lanterns and chandeliers hanging from the ceilings, a second upper Tebah with guardrails made up of wooden balusters etc. However, it must be noted that in 1973, the original Heichal, the central Tebah with its polished brass pieces, Torah scrolls and other ritual objects were transported to Moshav Nevatim in Israel (Eliyahu-Oron and Johnson, 2021, p. 156) .

The Azara or anteroom of Thekkumbhagom Synagogue with the screen wall separating it from the main sanctuary.

The double-storey sanctuary building of Thekkumbhagom Synagogue

These twin brass pillars at the entrance are typical to Kerala synagogues. In some cases they are made of wood. It is believed that they represent Boaz and Jachin, the pillars which stood in the first Temple of Jerusalem built by King Solomon.

The Holy Ark

The Torah Ark currently displayed in the synagogue was accidentally discovered from its attic room in 1996. Interestingly, this newly discovered ark is believed to be from the pre-1939 synagogue which is dated 1580 by most scholars. If the ark is also from the same period, it will be the oldest surviving Torah ark from a synagogue in Kerala. 

The current Torah Ark of Thekkumbhagom Synagogue in Ernakulam (pre-1939 origin, installed post-1996)

Close-up view of the Torah Ark

Unlike other surviving Kerala Torah Arks, this is a free-standing structure without pillars and it is also not painted. It consists of a total 54 small square panels adorned with floral designs.

The main central or lower Tebah

The original Tebah (pre-1973) of the synagogue was made of polished brass pieces, currently in Israel. The existing lyre-shaped Tebah in the synagogue is a simple curved wooden structure installed afterwards.

The current wooden lower Tebah of Thekkumbhagom Synagogue (installed post-1973)

The Torah Ark and lower Tebah of Thekkumbhagom Synagogue before they were transferred to Israel

This is a rare image of Thekkumbhagom synagogue of Ernakulam with all its furnishings intact-the Tebah, Heichal, glass oil lanterns, chandeliers, coir floor carpets, curtains, wooden chairs and tables, steps leading to the Ark and Tebah, windows flanking the Ark, alms box etc. The original polished brass curved Tebah of the synagogue is beautifully captured here. Unfortunately, the Holy Ark is not clear because of the lamps and Tebah blocking its view. Photo credit- ANU-Museum of the Jewish People-dated to 1980s. However, if the Tebah and Torah Ark were moved to Israel in 1973 (Eliyahu-Oron and Johnson, 2021, p. 156), the image should have been captured in the early 1970s at the latest. Moreover, this photograph has also appeared in a booklet on the 'Synagogues of India', published in 1978, so it is certainly taken before 1980.

The Torah Ark and central Tebah of Thekkumbhagom Synagogue preserved in Moshav Nevatim, Israel

See that only the doors of the original Heichal  is installed in Moshav Nevatim. Why they left the remaining parts of the Ark is not clear. As a result, the Thekkumbhagom Ark is the least impressive compared to the exquisitely carved and well-designed, painted teak Arks of other Kerala synagogues. Photo credit-Adina Bar-El, 2021.

The upper or second Tebah 

The second Tebah is made up of three rows of lathe-turned balusters supported by four rows of horizontal wooden stripes, and it has four finials posts projecting from the top. The Tebah is at the center of a guardrail running the full span of the space from north to south walls.

The upper or second Tebah of Thekkumbhagom Synagogue

The four finial projections from the Tebah

Two early images of the upper and lower Tebot of Thekkumbhagom Synagogue

Two Tebot in one synagogue is a unique feature of all synagogues in Kerala, but not reported anywhere in the world before. No wonder, why the Cochin Jews of Kerala have retained two Tebot in their synagogue at Moshav Nevatim. We know that the main Tebah of Thekkumbhagom synagogue was shifted to Israel in early 1970s, but the upper Tebah has remained intact in the original location at Ernakulam. The current lower Tebah is a simple wooden structure, but the original was made of polished brass pieces. Here are two pre-1970 images where you can see both the original Tebot as they existed in the synagogue.

1- Upper and lower Tebot of Thekkumbhagom Synagogue -undated ( 1950s?)

Photo credit-The Cochin Jewish Heritage Center, Nevatim

2-Upper and lower Tebot of Thekkumbhagom Synagogue in 1967  Photo credit- Rahmim Melamed, 1967

 Women's seating area and coloured glass windows of Thekkumbhagom Synagogue

Partition wall (Mechitza) separating women's room from upper gallery (balcony)

Wooden staircase from the upper Tebah to the main sanctuary

Wooden staircase from the women's gallery  to the Azara

 Ceiling, Windows and Lanterns

The ceiling of Thekkumbhagom sanctuary is plain and simple without any panels and lacks carved works or paintings, which is unlike the richly decorated ceilings of the typical Kerala synagogues. The main sanctuary of a typical Kerala synagogue has 10 windows, said to represent the 10 Commandments, i.e. three each on the north and south side walls, one pair flanking the Heichal at the western wall and two at the eastern wall of azara. Since the Thekkumbhagom azara has a screen wall, the eastern wall lacks windows, and the synagogue has therefore only 8 windows instead of 10. Another unique feature is the two layers of clear glass panes at the top of sanctuary windows and the coloured glass windows at the women's seating room. More on the architectural and structural features of Thekkumbhagom synagogue, see Waronker, 2010, pp. 227-247.

Interior of Thekkumbhagom Synagogue-1968 or before

In this rare photo too, a full-fledged Thekkumbhagom synagogue can be seen with its central Tebah (1), Torah Ark (2), glass lanterns, alms box (4), floor carpets of coir etc. Upon careful observation you can see the Sefer Torahs (3) taken outside the Torah Ark or Heichal. Once again, the view to Heichal is blocked by the Tebah and people praying inside. Photo credit-Cochin Synagogue Quater Centenary Souvenir, 1968

Glass oil lanterns and chandeliers hanging from the ceilings of the Thekkumbhagom Synagogue today


Plain wooden ceiling panels of the Thekkumbhagom Synagogue

Front (East) and side (South) views of the Thekkumbhagom Synagogue



References

Bar Giora, Naphtali (1958)- History of the Synagogues in Kochin (Hebrew), Sefunot, Vol. 2

Eliyahu-Oron, Orna and Johnson, Barbara C. (2021)-The Kerala Synagogues-Heritage of the Cochin Jews. In Growing Up Jewish in India: Synagogues, Customs, and Communities from the Bene Israel to the Art of Siona Benjamin. Ori Z. Soltes, ed. New Delhi: Niyogi Press

Katz, Nathan and Goldberg, Ellen S. (1993)-The Last Jews of Cochin

Sassoon, David Solomon (1932)-Ohel David Descriptive Catalogue of the Hebrew and Samaritan Manuscripts in the Sassoon Library.Vol.2

Segal, J.B. (1993)-A History of the Jews of Cochin. London

Waronker Jay Arthur (2010)-The Synagogues of Kerala-Their Architecture, History, Context, and Meaning, M.A Thesis, Cornell University

Posted by CONTACT ME (Dr. Laju Paul K.) at 03:08

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

INTRODUCTION

The monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam arrived India much before they reached the West. For instance, it is widely believed that Christianity reached the subcontinent only after Portuguese, the first European colonists arrived India in the 15th century. However, long before Christianity reached many parts of Europe, it came to India. According to strong, continuous and unanimous traditions among the ancient Syrian Christians of Kerala, Christianity was introduced to India by St: Thomas, the Apostle of Jesus Christ in 52 AD, who established seven churches in Kerala. Contrary to popular belief that Islam came to India through the 11th century Muslim invasions in the northern parts of the country, it first arrived Kerala via the Arab merchants from 7th century onwards at the earliest. Similarly, Judaism the oldest continuously practiced monotheistic religion has an Indian presence from very early times. If traditional accounts are to be accepted,India had a Jewish colony from the time of King Solomon (10th century BC)! Most importantly, all the three religions trace their arrival in India to the Malabar region of Southern India which is currently the modern State of Kerala. Since ancient times Kerala has been the center of the Indian spice trade where Greeks, Romans, Jews, Arabs and Chinese came for grabbing their part of share. To be specific, the first Jewish, Christian and Islamic settlements of India claim their origin to a place called Cranganore (modern Kodungallur) in Kerala.

Much has been written on Indian Jews, their unique culture and traditions. Among the three major Jewish communities in India, the “Kerala Jews” popularly known as“Cochin Jews” are the most ancient followed by the “Bene Israel” of Maharashtra and the “Baghdadi Jews” of West Bengal. Recently two more communities have claimed Jewish ancestry viz. “Bene Menasheh” (1970s) from North East India and “Bene Ephraim or Telugu Jews” (1980s) from Andhra Pradesh. A small population of Jews had migrated to India during the Mughal, Portuguese, Dutch, French and British rule as well. Perhaps the Jewish refugees from Hitler’s Anti-Semitic Europe were the last Jews to arrive India. In other words, Jews weren’t a single emigration to India. At different times they arrived and settled peacefully in India where they never experienced any anti-Semitism from the native Indian community. Although Jews supposedly reached Kerala as early as 1st century AD, there were many different waves of emigrations later as well. Gradually, Jews of Kerala became organized into three distinct groups, but the different communities interacted very less among themselves. 1) Malabari Jews: the largest and most ancient group considered to have arrived in India as merchants during the period of King Solomon (1000 BC). 2). ‘Paradesi’ (foreigner) Jews: the second largest and recent group (from 16th century onwards) who migrated mainly from Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Spain and Germany. 3). ‘Meshuhararim’ (released): the smallest group believed to be the slaves held by both Malabari and Paradesi communities who were converted to Judaism and later on released from their status as slaves. The Malabari Jews were called the ‘Black Jews’, the Meshuhararim-the ‘Brown Jews’ and the ‘Paradesi’-the ‘White Jews’-terms considered derogatory and racist today. The arguments on who came first and who are more pure were often fought vehemently and each sect defended their claims. The Jewish population of Kerala numbered 2,400 at the height of their “mass” emigration to Israel in 1954. Today (2011), less than 40 Jews remain in Kerala-9 Paradesi Jews comprising of 6 women and 3 men; and less than 30 Malabari Jews.

In a strong caste-based Indian society, fair skinned Paradesi Jews managed to win a privileged position although they were a minority and newly arrived. Their European background, influence and wealth managed to push the majority of relatively poor Malabar Jews into an inferior position in colonial India. Unfortunately, even today for many in the west and to a great extent in India too, the existence of Kerala’s ancient Malabari Jewish community and their heritage is far unknown. The famous Paradesi Synagogue in Cochin is perhaps the only monument that comes into the mind of many as far as Judaism in Kerala is concerned. Often mistakenly acclaimed to be the oldest (built 1568) synagogue in British Commonwealth, the Paradesi Synagogue however, is the only functional one in Kerala today (2011). Did the Jewish community of Kerala leave anything more than this famed synagogue? The answer is a big yes. Judaism in Kerala is not only about the Paradesi Jews of Cochin and their synagogue in Mattanchery. In fact, the Malabari Jews have seven synagogues and six cemeteries, and several aretfacts and monuments that are also part of Kerala’s rich Jewish heritage! This does not include the few existing Jewish homes and the many earlier Jewish residences converted into non-Jewish owned business buildings and private villas.

This blog will be an attempt to help people both inside and outside India to locate and learn about the known Jewish monuments of Kerala, that include synagogues, cemeteries and former Jewish residences. It will be equally pictorial and textual in format. One of the objectives of this blog is to help people in identifying all known Jewish monuments of Kerala through maps and photographs. Their left out synagogues and cemeteries are the physical landmarks that still stand in testimony to the vibrant and glorious heritage of Jews who claim at least 2000 years of strong and continuous bond with India. The big question is about the accessibility and identification of these monuments. Some of the cemeteries for example are so overgrown with weeds and turned into garbage dumping yards that even the locals have no clue about their existence. Most of the sites have no sign boards or maps available to pin point their exact location. The information from internet and other sources are also limited or at times misinformed when locating the monuments are concerned. I will try to get as many photographs as needed to help people understand these monuments and the blog will not be confined to the heritage of Paradesi Jews alone. For those synagogues that are disputed properties or lie in ruined state and are not accessible for the public I will only add photographs of the exterior. Some of the original Jewish artifacts from Kerala are preserved in Israel and what left here are the duplicates. In such cases, I will trace and append online links having the original photographs. Regarding the dates associated with the history of ‘Kerala Jews’, I have tried to incorporate the most popular views and need not always be the scholarly accepted ones. I shall be much glad if any one can contribute or provide details of additional monuments, sites or artifacts you think can be classified as part of Jewish heritage of Kerala.

Being also a photoblog, I will be concentrating more on the photographs taken from various Jewish monuments in Kerala. Not many sites are available online that go deep into the structural and historic details of these heritage units with photographs. However, we are lucky to have a few very enlightening resources. The“Friends of Kerala Synagogues 2011”(Prof. Jay A. Waronker, USA; Prof. Shalva Weil, Israel; Marian Scheuer Sofaer, USA; Isaac Sam, India and Tirza Muttath Lavi, Israel) maintain an excellent site on the synagogues of Kerala. I strongly recommend anyone interested in ‘Jewish synagogues of Kerala’ to go through their highly informative links. Whenever, I refer to their site, it will be acknowledged as ‘www.cochinsyn.com’. The other very important site I recommend is the beautiful photo collection by Jono David in his ‘Ha Chayim Ha Yehudim Jewish Photo Library’. He has photographs from many Jewish monuments of India. Although he has got wrong one of the synagogues (Mattancherry Kadavumbagam Synagogue) the site has largely helped me to identify the Jewish cemeteries in Kerala.

JEWISH MONUMENTS & ARTIFACTS OF KERALA

The most important Jewish heritage structures in Kerala are the synagogues (Juda Palli in Malayalam), cemeteries and residences.

A. Synagogues

Today, there are 35 synagogues in India and 7 of them are in Kerala. The architectural style of Kerala synagogues differs from those in the west. These synagogues are strongly influenced from earlier Hindu religious buildings on its design and construction. They are characterized by high slope roofs, thick laterite-stoned walls, large windows and doors, balcony and wood-carved ceilings. A Kerala synagogue consists of a ‘Gate House’ at the entrance that leads through a Breezeway to the Synagogue Complex. The synagogue complex is made of a fully enclosed Azara or Anteroom and a double-storeyed sanctuary-the main prayer hall. Inside a typical double-storeyed sanctuary of a ‘Kerala Synagogue’ are:

1) A Tebah/Bimah: Located at the center of the sanctuary, Tebah is usually an elevated wooden platform or pulpit from which Torah, the holy book of Jews is read. 2) A Heichal (Ark): Represents the altar. It is a chest or cupboard in the synagogue where the Torah scrolls are kept. It is usually carved intricately and painted/gilded with teak wood. Unlike in the European Synagogues, where the ark is placed on the eastern wall, the synagogues in Kerala have the arks on the western wall facing Jerusalem. 3) A Balcony/Second Tebah: It is unique to the synagogues of Kerala. The balcony has two portions one for men and the other for ladies. Women’s seating area is placed directly above the azara. 4) A Staircase: Leads to the balcony and is generally spiral in shape and made of wood. At times there are two staircases, one for men from the main hall inside the synagogue and the other for the ladies from a staircase room outside the synagogue; 5) A Jewish School: Is actually a classroom for Jewish children usually located behind the women’s section on the first floor.

B. Cemeteries

Resting place of ancestors means a lot to the Jewish community. Sometimes they even carried tombstones from their old settlements while migrating to a newer place. The oldest Jewish tomb in India (dated 1269 AD) preserved in front of Chendamangalam synagogue is one such transferred from Kodungallur. Unlike Christian tombs in Kerala with Malayalam and English engravings, the Jewish graves have mostly Hebrew inscriptions. The Jewish year can be converted into modern Gregorian date if one can read the Hebrew letters. ‘Reading Hebrew Tombstones’ is an interesting site to read the Jewish tombs.

C. Jewish Residences

Today, most of the early Jewish homes sold to non-Jews are substantially modified or refurbished. However, there are a few features that still make them identifiable. Sometimes you can trace Jewish symbols like Menorah (candlestick) and Magen David (Star of David) on the walls, windows and roof tops. For example, a few residences in Mattancherry still maintain the Star of David (Magen David) despite being converted into shops or warehouses. The best way to locate the home of a residing Jew is to look for the Mezuzah on the door post. Nailed to the doorpost of a Jewish home, Mezuzah is a small container made of wood, plastic or metal having a piece of parchment with the most important words from the Jewish Holy Book, Torah. It is customary among religious Jews to touch the mezuzah on entering or leaving the home. A few homes in the Synagogue Lane of Mattancherry with mezuzah are the residences of the remaining 9 Paradesi Jews.

The Jewish monuments and artifacts I will be discussing in this blog are:

I Synagogues

1. Pardesi Synagogue, Mattancherry (1568)

2. Kadavumbagam Synagogue, Mattancherry (1130 or 1539)

3. Thekkumbagam Synagogue, Mattancherry (1647, only the building site known)

4. Kadavumbagam Synagogue, Ernakulam (1200)

5. Thekkumbagam Synagogue, Ernakulam (1200 or 1580))

6. Paravur Synagogue (750 or 1164 or 1616)

7. Mala Synagogue (1400 or 1597)

8. Chendamangalam Synagogue (1420 or 1614)

(The various speculated dates of establishment in parenthesis are taken from www.cochinsyn.com, coutesy Prof. Jay A. Waronker)

II Cemeteries

1. Pardesi Jewish Cemetery, Mattancherry

2. Malabari Jewish Cemetery, Mattancherry

3. Old Jewish Cemetery, Ernakulam

4. New Jewish Cemetery, Ernakulam

5. Paravur Jewish Cemetery

6. Mala Jewish Cemetery

7. Chendamangalam Jewish Cemetery

III Jew Streets

1. Jew Street Mattancherry (Jewish residences with Mezuzah and Magen David)

2. Jew Steet, Ernakulam (today all shops in non-Jewish hands)

3. Jew Street, Paravur (Twin Pillars)

4. Jew Street, Mala (Gate House and Breezeway of synagogue turned into shops)

5. Jew Street, Chendamangalam (used to be a Jewish Market or Judakambolam)

6. Jew Street, Calicut (identified in July 2011 as Jootha (Jew) Bazar)

IV Other Monuments & Artifacts

1. Tomb of Sarah (1269 AD), Chendamangalam

2. Kochangadi Synagogue Corner-stone, Mattancherry

3. Jewish Children’s Play Ground, Mattancherry

4. Clock-Tower, Mattancherry

5. Sarah Cohen’s Embroidery Shop, Mattancherry

6. Jew Hill/Judakunnu/Jewish Bazar, Palayur

7. Jew Tank/Judakkulam, Madayi

8. Koder House, Fort Kochi

9. Grand Residencia, Fort Kochi

10. Jewish Summer Resorts, Aluva

11. Jewish Copper Plates, Mattancherry

12. Syrian Copper Plates, Kollam

13. Torah Finial, Palayur

V Lost Jewish Colonies

1. Kodungallur (Thrissur)

2. Palayur (Thrissur)

3. Pullut (Thrissur)

4. Kunnamkulam (Thrissur)

5. Saudhi (Ernakulam)

6. Tir-tur (Ernakulam)

7. Fort Kochi (Ernakulam)

8. Chaliyam (Kozhikode)

5. Pantalayani Kollam (Kozhikode)

9. Thekkepuram (Kozhikkode)

10. Muttam (Alappuzha)

11. Kayamkulam (Alappuzha)

12. Dharmadom (Kannur)

13. Madayi (Kannur)

14. Quilon (Kollam)

15. Pathirikunnu, Krishnagiri (Waynad)

16. Anchuthengu (Thiruvananthapuram)