Mumbai: The Magen Hassidim Synagogue in Agripada, Central Mumbai, was added to the 'Jewish Route', a list of Mumbai Jewish religious and cultural sites.
The synagogue is the largest synagogue used by the Marathi-speaking Bene Israel Jews, believed to have lived on the north Konkan coast for nearly a millennium.
On Tuesday, Israel's tourism minister, Haim Katz, inaugurated a plaque at the synagogue in the presence of Kobbi Shoshani, the Israeli Consul General.
Though its congregation has dwindled with the migration of young members to Israel, the synagogue is one of the busiest in the city with over 500 members. The Jacob Circle Jewish New Prayer Hall was initially established in 1904. As the number of worshippers grew, land was bought on Moreland Road (now Mohamad Shahid Marg) for a bigger place of worship.
The building, designed by S V Pradeau Architects, was consecrated on March 29, 1931, as Magen Hassidim (Hebrew for Shield of the Pious). The synagogue has a community hall in the compound used for marriages, bar mitzvahs, or initiation ceremonies for teenagers.
A member of the community described it as a 'vibrant centre for Jewish life and community service.' "The congregation now consists of mostly older people as young families have migrated to Israel," said a community member.
Katz, who spoke in Hebrew, said that the 'Jewish Route' project was a symbol of the bond between India and Israel. Shoshani translated Katz's speech into English and said it was a special day for the community. "This is the way to protect the heritage of India's Jews who have been here for 2000 years. Unlike Europe, they faced no persecution," said Shoshani.
The 'Jewish Route' project, is a collaboration between the Israeli Consulate General in Mumbai and the state tourism department. The project involves an itinerary of Jewish cultural and religious sites in Mumbai and neighbouring districts.
The sites include synagogues, cemeteries, institutions created by Jewish philanthropists like the David Sassoon Library, and Chabad House, which was besieged in the 26/11 terror attack, and cemeteries. Currently, the information is on a website but there are plans to create a mobile phone application as a guide for visitors, with audio and visual data.
Speaking to media persons later, Katz said that direct flights will start between Delhi and Tel Aviv in March, allowing more Israelis and Indians to travel to tourist and religious sites in both countries.
