Jewish Mumbai

Knesset Eliyahu is an Orthodox Jewish synagogue located in downtown Mumbai, India. It is the city's second oldest Sephardic synagogue. It was established in 1884 by Jacob Elias Sassoon, son of Eliyahoo David Sassoon and grandson of David Sassoon; the latter had immigrated from Baghdad to India in 1832 due to persecution and had settled in Mumbai, then known as Bombay. It is maintained by the Jacob Sassoon Trust. The building's significance is attributed to its Jewish traditions as well as Indian and English colonial influences. It was designed by the British architectural firm Gostling & Morris of Bombay. The basement part of the edifice is built in stone masonry and the superstructure is built in brick masonry. The exterior facade of the synagogue is painted turquoise. The sanctuary within the interior of the building is in western direction, towards Jerusalem. Photo Attribution: Rangan Datta Wiki, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons Elizabeth K. Joseph from San Francisco, United States, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

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TOURS OF Mumbai

Tours

Jewish Tour of the Villages

Visit the villages along the coast of Mumbai where, according to Bene Israel tradition, seven couples were shipwrecked over 2,000 years ago. Depart by a speed boat / ferry to visit the villages along the coast of Mumbai where, according to Bene Israel tradition, seven couples were shipwrecked over 2,000 years ago. Explore the original landing site and monument at Navgaon. Visit the Magen Aboth Synagogue and the Beth El Synagogue. Enjoy a visit to a Jewish home.

Tours

Hidden Jewels and Offbeat Tour of Mumbai

This tour will give an intimate understanding of how Mumbai has developed from a small fishing village to a major city in the past centuries. Learn about the fishermen, the original inhabitants of Mumbai, by visiting a local fishing village and the Sassoon Dock, a wholesale fish market. Walk through a wholesale vegetable and fruit market. Witness the amazing “lunch box” system and watch the dabawallas in action. At Banganga Tank, you will see how the city looked a century ago. Enjoy a visit to a home. Visit a Hindu temple, where you will see a religious ceremony.

Tours

Jewish Heritage Tour and Mumbai Highlights

Explore synagogues that reflect the thriving presence of the Bene Israel and Baghdadi Jews. Learn about the rich Jewish history. Listen to the mesmerizing stories of Jews who lived peacefully with their Hindu and Muslim neighbors. Explore Magen David, Tiphereth Israel and Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogues. Drive past stunning Victorian buildings. Marvel at the Dhobi Ghat, an immense, colorful outdoor laundry. Explore Mani Bhawan, a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. Drive to the grand Gateway of India, overlooking the Indian harbour.

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Jewish Style Restaurants

Restaurants

Falafels

Falafel is an ancient dish that has been popular in Egypt and now the rest of the Middle East. The history of falafel goes back to the days of the pharaohs. The name most likely devise from the Arabic word for spicy, Mefelfel. The Copts, an Egyptian Christian sect, also claim to have invented the ta’amia, the fava-bean fritter that is parent to the falafel. It is believed that falafels were invented in Alexandria. Since Alexandria is a port, sailors from all over took the delicious little patties home, and eventually falafel became popular fasts food all over the Middle East. Accordingly, Middle Eastern Jews overwhelmingly favored chickpeas solo in their falafels. An early Middle Eastern fast food, falafel was commonly sold wrapped in paper, but not served in the familiar pita sandwich. Beginning in the 1950s, Yemenite immigrants in Israel took up making falafel to earn a livehood, utilizing the chickpea version common in the Levant and transformed this ancient treat into the Israeli national street food. It’s hard to come by authentic, good quality, healthy Mediterranean and Lebanese cuisine. Falafel’s not only pioneered the segment but remains the leader even today! From an array of delicious falafels and yummy hummus platters, to healthy wraps, and salads to powerhouse meal boxes, Falafel’s has slightly tempered all of these to suit the Indian palate, while retaining all the original flavours. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian fares come in a wide variety of flavours that will leave you spoilt for choice. All dishes at Falafel’s are priced sparingly so that healthy food is always available to you without burning a hole in your pocket.The focus remains on good food and quick service so that you never have to wait long for your meal. One of the fastest growing quick service meal chains in the country, Falafel’s is the nourishing answer to all your food cravings!

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CITY GUIDES

Guides

Joshua Shapurkar

Joshua Shapurkar is a native of Mumbai and a member of the Bene Israel community. He has been a professional guide for more than 30 years. Full of knowledge and warmth, he has a special way of leading a group and sharing information. His passion for his country and his community shines through. Joshua's attention to detail and love for his Jewish heritage bring to life the history of the Jewish people of India. During his career as a guide he has guided and managed important delegations for JFNA, AJC and AJDC.

Guides

Haanna Shapurkar

A member of the local Jewish Community of Mumbai, Hanna Shapurkar has been a licensed tour Guide for more than twenty years. Engaging and Knowledgeable and delightful to be with, Hanna is full of insights into the Jewish History of Mumbai and her sense of humor makes the tour fun.

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HOTELS IN Mumbai

Hotels

The Trident, Nariman point

Nestled in the heart of vibrant and bustling Mumbai lies the hotel Trident, Nariman Point. Soaring 35 storeys high, it offers panoramic views of Marine Drive or the Queen's Necklace, as the beautiful promenade is lovingly called. An iconic Mumbai landmark, featuring some of the best accommodations in the city, this is the luxury hotel address to be seen at.

Hotels

The Taj Mahal Palace

The Taj Mahal Palace opened in Mumbai, then Bombay, in 1903, giving birth to the country’s first harbour landmark. The recently trademarked flagship hotel overlooks the majestic Gateway of India. This legendary 5 star hotel in Mumbai has played host to kings, dignitaries and eminent personalities from across the globe, and is acknowledged as a world leader in hospitality.

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#JEWISHMUMBAI

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Apr 26

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Pendant ma visite à Mumbai j'ai eu l'opportunité de visiter la synagogue Knesseth Eliyahu. Établi par Jacob Sassoon, en 1884 c'est la deuxième plus vieille synagogue de cette ville.

במהלך ביקורי במומבאי הזדמן לי לבקר בבית הכנסת של הכנסת אליהו. הוקם על ידי יעקב ששון, בשנת 1884, זהו בית הכנסת השני העתיק בעיר זו.

During my visit to Mumbai I had the opportunity to visit the Knesseth EliyahuSynagogue. Founded by Jacob Sasson, in 1884, it is the second oldest synagogue in this city.

#Mumbai #KnessethEliyahu #synagogue #BeneIsrael #Juif #JewishMumbai #Maharashtra #JacobSasson #יהודי #Israel #indianjewsareathing #eliyahuhanavi ...

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Nov 5

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Want to learn more about Jewish life in Mumbai, India? 🇮🇳

Hear yosifatalker speak at the Global Jewish Pen Pal Program Global Day of Jewish Learning Zoom event. Free event, taking place this Sunday, November 7! 🗣️

RSVP at the Link in our Bio.

#jewishindia #jewishmumbai #indianjews #mumbaijews #indianjewishwedding #indianjewish #globaldayofjewishlearning ...

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Mar 24

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This is the craziest thing. I just discovered that my article “Chasing Challah in Mumbai” was translated to Yiddish in 2017. It might be a global first. Lol. Who would have imagined an article by this Indian Israeli Jewess would be translated to Yiddish (Yiddish is written with the Hebrew alphabet). Next, someone needs to translate it to Ladino, Hebrew, Marathi & Hindi. ...

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Mar 10

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On day four of our trip through Jewish India danielndennis shows us around the Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue in downtown Mumbai.

Jacob Sassoon, the grandson of businessman-philanthropist David Sassoon, built the synagogue in 1884 to cater to the neighborhood’s Baghdadi Jews. This synagogue is the second oldest Sephardic synagogue in Mumbai. The architecture of the building contains unique features which combine Jewish traditions with Indian and English Victorian influences. It has won the “most beautiful heritage building of Asia.”

The synagogue continues to be used as a synagogue today and is the center of Jewish cultural and religious life in Mumbai. During Shabbat, local Jews, Jewish foreigners, and visitors, experience Shabbat together in this synagogue, followed with a free Shabbat dinner at the synagogue, a combination of an Indian and Baghdadi style meal.

After a long period of restoration work, the synagogue has recently been renovated. Located in a well-known, prime area of the city, surrounded by many distinguished hotels, the government also lately named the street of the synagogue after the late Israeli President and former Prime Minister, Shimon Peres.

#jewishindia #jewishmumbai #jewishsynagogue #synagoguesoftheworld #kenesetheliyahoosynagogue #sassoonfamily #baghdadijews #sephardicsynagogue #shimonperes #jewishtours ...

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Mar 9

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On the third day of our trip through Jewish India danielndennis takes us to a Malida ceremony.

Malida is a ceremony only observed by the Bene Israel community, and not by Cochin Jews, Bene Ephraim or Baghdadi Jews (other communities of Jews from India). It is dedicated to giving thanks. The ceremony is performed by the community before or during any happy occasion such as weddings, bar-mitzvahs, engagements, naming ceremonies, birthdays, and house-warming ceremonies.

The traditional ceremony involves praying over and eating a plate of rice, dried coconut, sugar, and dried fruits, (at least one of the fruits being seasonal).

Since the prophet Elijah is considered the guardian prophet of the Bene Israel community, (it is said that he rescued the Jews who escaped the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and were washed ashore right outside today’s Mumbai), Malida has become synonymous with celebrating Elijah and giving thanks to him. Families sing Eliyahu Hanavi and say blessings over the fruits.

Wherever Bene Israel Jews live today, whether in Israel, India, or elsewhere, Malida is still observed and considered highly important.

#malida #beneisrael #prophetelijah #givingthanks #jewishindia #jewishmumbai #jewishtraditions #jewishceremonies ...