Kochi, India’s historic Jewish community has dwindled to just a handful of members following mass emigration to Israel in the 1950s. Keith Hallegua, who represents the final local member of the Paradesi Synagogue, and Elias “Babu” Josephai, who maintains the Kadavumbagam Synagogue, have remained in the southwestern Indian seaport city to preserve their heritage and fulfill family obligations.
The Cochin Jewish community’s history spans centuries, with roots traceable back thousands of years according to some community members. The population included multiple distinct groups, including Paradesi Jews whose ancestors fled the Spanish Inquisition in the 16th century, and Malabari Jews whose heritage members trace to ancient times. The community historically experienced internal social divisions based on class and skin color, though these divisions diminished after most members emigrated. Today, the community operates with minimal membership; Hallegua often prays alone at the 458-year-old Paradesi Synagogue, while Josephai maintains the Kadavumbagam Synagogue largely by himself.
Efforts to preserve Cochin Jewish culture extend beyond the remaining Jewish residents. A museum documenting the community’s history opened earlier this year, featuring historical documents including copper plates from 1000 CE that members say record a Hindu king’s grant of religious freedom. Synagogue trustees and community allies, including Hindu and Muslim neighbors, are working to document and maintain the neighborhood’s cultural legacy. Thaha Ibrahim, a Muslim who runs an embroidery shop formerly owned by a Jewish resident, has learned traditional Cochin Jewish embroidery techniques and is teaching his son to continue the practice.
Both Hallegua and Josephai express the emotional weight of witnessing their community’s disappearance while remaining committed to their homeland. Josephai has invested years reconstructing his synagogue after vandalism and hopes a Jewish organization will eventually assume responsibility for preserving its library and museum. Hallegua, who remained to care for family members, carries vivid memories of communal celebrations and family traditions that he recognizes will not be replicated. Despite the profound sense of loss, both men remain grounded in their Indian identity and their role in maintaining their community’s historical record.
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