Kochi: The Jews came back to Kochi, celebrated their historicity in separate ways, just as they are divided on ethnic lines back home. The 'black' Malabari Jews and the 'white' Paradesi Jews trace their Kochi migration history to 2000 years and 500 years respectively, keeping their legacies separately.
A glimpse of the division was evident the other day in Kochi when the two branches of Kerala Jews chose a particular day to observe two significant events of their history separately.
The 450th anniversary celebration of the Paradesi synagogue, Mattancherry, coincided with the installation of the sacred Safer Torah brought from Israel at the Kadavumbhagam synagogue near Ernakulam market of the Malabaris. The Torah scrolls have been brought to the Kadavumbhagam synagogue 46 years after they were taken to Israel. It is the effort of Josephai Babu Elias which resulted in the renovation of Kadavumbhagam synagogue and installation of Safer Torah.
Though Jews from various parts of the world arrived in the city, the conduct of the two events separately revealed the sharp division among the Jewish community in Kerala.
“The division between the white and black Jews is evident. Though the Malabari Jews reached Muziris port more than 2000 years ago and started living scattered in many parts of Kerala, they lost significance when the white Paradesi Jews, mostly from European countries, came and settled nearly 500 years ago. Now, only the white Paradesi Jews have got prominence in the history of Kerala as they are rich and influential,” said Boney Thomas, historian who has written a book titled ‘Kochikakr’ which briefs the history of Jews in Kerala.
Meanwhile, the Paradesi synagogue anniversary celebrations were attended by around 200 Jews who moved to other places and settled there. The celebrations were organised by the Cochin Synagogue Trust and the three-day celebrations included prayers, get-together meets and processions.
Only five Paradesi Jews remain in Kochi with the 96-year old Sarah Cohen, the seniormost member, and the total number of Jews in Kerala is less than 30.
