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List of synagogues in Maharashtra

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Jews started settling in Mumbai (then Bombay) and other coastal towns of Maharashtra during the 18th century, due to its economic opportunities.[1] The Jewish community of Bombay consisted of the remnants of three distinct communities: the Bene Israeli Jews of Konkan, the Baghdadi Jews of Iraq, and the Cochin Jews of Malabar.[2] Presently, there are about tenactive synagogues in Maharashtra, out of which nine are in Mumbai[3] and one is in Pune.[4] Apart from this there are a couple of prayer hall and about 11 closed synagogues.

List of synagogues in Maharashtra

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There are a total of tenactive synagogues in Maharashtra. Six of these are located in downtown Mumbai. There are three on the outskirts of Mumbai, including one each in Thane, Alibaug and Panvel. Pune also houses one active synagogue.

Name Location Photo Brief Description
Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue Fort Area, Mumbai
Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue
 Located at the heart of Mumbai, Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue with its bright blue and white exterior is popularly known as the blus synagogue. It was constructed in 1884 and is a Bagdadi Jew Synagogue.[5][6] The interiors are well laid out with light filtering through the stained glass windows. Brass chandeliers and ornamentation adds to the beauty of the interiors.
Shaar Harahamim Synagogue Masjid Bhandar, Mumbai
Shaar Harahamim Synagogue
 Shaar Harahamim literally means "Gateway of Mercy". Built in 1796 it is the oldest synagogue in Mumbai. It is also known as the Old Synagogue. It belongs to the Bene Israel group.[7] It is located in a very congested area near the Masjid railway station.
Share Rason Synagogue Israel Moholla, Mumbai
Shaare Rason Synagogue
 Share Rason literally meaning the "Gateway of Desire" is the second oldest Synagogue of Mumbai and belongs to the Bene Israel community. This synagogue was created as a conflict in the management of the Shaar Harhamim Synagogue. The Share Rason came up in the nearby area and came to be known as the "New Synagogue". The older Shaar Harhamim Synagogue came to be known as "Old Synagogue".[8]
Magen David David Byculla, Mumbai
Magen David Synagogue
 A Baghdadi Synagogue built by David Sassoon in 1861.[5] Following the Victorian style of architecture the synagogue has a high steeple fitted with a clock.[9] The interior of the synagogue is a double-height sanctuary with women's gallery wrapping around three sides of the upper floor. In the 2010s the exterior and interior of the Magen David Synagogue have been painted blue and white.[10]
Magen Hasidim Synagogue Byculla, Mumbai
Magen Hassidim Synagogue
 Magen Hasidin, literally meaning the Shield of the Pious, is the largest Bene Israel synagogue in Mumbai. The original synagogue started in 1904 but was shifted to the larger present location in 1931. The interiors are more lively with a decorative wooden central platform. The women's gallery is on the first floor balcony. Decorative chandeliers lit up the interior with the large windows allowing the natural light to filter in.[11]
Tephereth Israel Synagogue Jacob Circle, Mumbai
Tiphearth Israel Synagogue
 Tephereth Israel or Tifereth Israel literally means Glory of Israel. It is the third Bene Israel Synagogue in Mumbai. It started in 1896 and moved to the present location in 1924. The building had undergone several extensions and modifications ever since. The ladies gallery lies on the northern side of the synagogue. Hanging brass and glass lanterns, ceiling fans, decorative metal window grilles and wall scones are part of the grand interior.[12]
Shaar Hashamaim Synagogue Thane, Mumbai Shaar Hashamaim, literally meaning Gateway of Heaven, is an active synagogue in the Thane region of Mumbai. It dates back to 1879 and belongs to the Bene Israel Jews.[13][14]
Beth El Synagogue Panvel, Mumbai Beth El. literally meaning the House of God, is an active synagogue in the Panvel area. It is located just north of the Raigad District and the synagogue can be considered as the oldest of the Raigad Synagogues. It dates back to 1849 and belongs to the Bene Israel Jews.[15]
Magen Aboth Synagogue Alibaug, Maharashtra
Magen Aboth Synagogue in Alibaug
 Magen Aboth, literally meaning Defender of the Brothers, in Alibaug is the only active synagogue in Raigad District. The synagogue dates back to 1910 and belongs to the Bene Israel Jews. It is a baroque style pink building with white borders.[16]
Ohel David Synagogue Pune
Ohel David Synagogue
 Ohel David (literally meaning The Tent of David) is a prominent landmark of Pune. It is known as Lal Deval or Lal Deul (both mean red temple). It dates back to 1867 and was funded by David Sassoon and belongs to the Baghdadi Jews. The synagogue follows a distinct English Gothic style architecture. The complex houses the mausoleum of David Sassoon [4][17]

Jewish prayer halls in Maharashtra

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Apart from the synagogues Mumbai also houses two active Jewish prayer halls

List of closed synagogues of Maharashtra

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Synagogues in Maharashtra.

There are about ten closed synagogues in Maharastra. Eight of these are located in Raigad District, one each in Mumbai and Pune.

References

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  1. ^ Weil, Shalva. India's Jewish Heritage: Ritual, Art and Life-Cycle. Mumbai: Marg Publications. 2009 [first published in 2002; 3rd edn.].
  2. ^ Tigay, Alan M. (1994). The Jewish Traveler: Hadassah Magazine's Guide to the World's Jewish Communities and Sights. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 69. ISBN 9781568210780.
  3. ^ "9 Synagogues of Mumbai". Holidify. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  4. ^ a b Sohoni, Pushkar (15 July 2017). "The Tale of the two Synagogues". Pune Mirror. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Baghdadian Synagogues in Mumbai (Bombay) & Poona (Pune)". Midrash Ben Ish Hai. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  6. ^ Deodhar, Neerja (14 February 2019). "Mumbai's iconic 'blue' Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue open to public, after year-long restoration". First Post. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  7. ^ "Shaar Harahamim Synagogue". Indian Jewish Heritage Centre. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  8. ^ "Share Raso Synagogue". Indian Jewish Heritage Center. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  9. ^ "The Magen David Synagogue". No. Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  10. ^ "Magen David Synagogue". Indian Jewish Heritage Centre. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  11. ^ "Magen Hassidim Synagogue". Indian Jewish Heritage Centre. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  12. ^ "Tephereth Israel Synagogue". Indian Jewish Heritage Centre. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  13. ^ Fernandes, Freny (28 June 2017). "137-yr-old synagogue lets us pass through the gates of history". Times of India. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  14. ^ "Shaar Hashamaim Synagogue". Indian Jewish Heritage Centre. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  15. ^ "Beth El Synagogue". Indian Jewish Heritage Centre. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  16. ^ "Magen Aboth Synagogue". Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  17. ^ "Ohel David Synagogue". Indian Jewish Heritage Centre. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  18. ^ "Kurla Prayer Hall". Indian Jewish Heritage Centre. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  19. ^ "Etz Haeem Prayer Hall". Indian Jewish Heritage Centre. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  20. ^ "Ambepur Synagogue". Indian Jews Heritage Center. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  21. ^ "Beth El Ashtami Synagogue". Indian Jewish Heritage Centre. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  22. ^ "Beth El Rewdanda Synagogue". Indian Jewish Heritage. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  23. ^ "Beth Haelohim Synagogue". Indian Jewish Heritage Centre. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  24. ^ "Hessed El Synagogue". Indian Jewish Heritage Cenre. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  25. ^ "Keneseth Israel Synagogue". Indian Jewish Heritage Centre. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  26. ^ "Orle Israel Synagogue". Indian Jewish Heritage Cenre. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  27. ^ "Shaar Hathephilah Synagogue". Indian Jewish Heritage Centre. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  28. ^ "Rodef Shalom Synagogue". Indian Jewish Heritage Centre. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
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