resemble the local people in appearance and customs, they have maintained the practices of Jewish
kosher dietary laws, circumcision and observation of the Sabbath as a day of rest.
Places of worship
The first synagogue Shaare Rahamim or Gates of Mercy, built
in 1796, was the first Bene Israel synagogue built in Bombay
by Samuel Ezekiel Divekar, a Bene Israeli. The establishment
of many other synagogues followed in the region. These
include Shaare Rason established in 1840, also known as the
New Synagogue, in the Kodak area of Mumbai. Tifereth Israel
at Saat Rasta, Mumbai was built in 1886. Etz Haeem Prayer
Hall Dongri, Umerkhadi Mumbai was built in 1888. Magen
Hassidim synagogue at Saat Rasta, Mumbai was built in 1904.
Rodef Shalom synagogue at Samuel Street, Mumbai in 1925.
Kurla Bene Israel Prayer Hall was built in 1946. Central to Jewish life in Bombay was the Magen
David Synagogue built by David Sassoon in 1861 Byculla which was a popular area for the Baghdadi
Jews. The Knesset Eliyahoo, also Knesset Eliyahu, an 1885 Orthodox synagogue in Fort in downtown
Mumbai built by Jacob Elias Sassoon. Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue also housed a number of
activities of Jewish communal life and included a mikveh, communal halls and an elementary school.
Later, following further industrial development, many Jews relocated and resided in the Thane area.
Shaar Hashamaim - Gate of Heaven Synagogue in Thane came into existence when the foundation
stone for building the Synagogue was laid on 26th March 1878 and was completed on 29th December
1879, dedicated and consecrated on 30th December 1879 during the festival of Chanukka. Tied to the
history of the Jews in Bombay is the history of the Jews in Pune, as well. The Red Temple, also called
Lal Deval or Lal Deul, Ohel David Synagogue, in Pune was constructed by philanthropist David
Sassoon in 1867.
Establishments of an identity
Many from the Bene Israel community, whose population peaked during the twentieth century to
number 25,000, emigrated to Israel and other countries as the U.S. and Canada, following concern
about their economic prospects in India. They migrated with a belief of finding a better sense of Jewish
identity in a Jewish state. The majority of Indian Jews have made Aliyah (migrated) to Israel since the
creation of the modern state in 1948. Many of the Baghdadi Jews immigrated to other countries to
protect financial interests. Over 70,000 Indian Jews now live in Israel (over 1% of Israel's total
population). Majority of Jews from the old British-Indian capital of Calcutta (Kolkata) have also
migrated to Israel over the last six decades.
The Jewish population of Bombay (Mumbai) today is but a fraction of what it was at its' peak in the
1940's. The architectural triumph left behind in the city is a testament of their herita