Sites in Kolkata

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Immerse Yourself in the Rich Jewish Culture of Kolkata, India


Welcome to Kolkata, where every corner whispers stories of a past that’s as moving as it is enlightening. From the poignant echoes of the Holocaust to the serene beauty of ancient synagogues, this city is a living museum waiting to be explored. Whether you're stepping into the hidden gems of the Jewish quarter or tracing the legacy of its people through cemeteries that are as much art as they are hallowed ground, Kolkata promises an unforgettable voyage into the heart of Jewish culture.

Prepare to be captivated by events that bring the vibrant mosaic of Jewish life into brilliant focus. Sites like Neveh Shalome Synagogue and Jewish Cemetery of Kolkata are not just places to visit; they are chapters in a story that spans centuries. This is where memories of the past meet the pulse of the present, inviting travelers from around the globe to connect, reflect, and be part of something truly extraordinary. Join us in Kolkata, India, and be part of a living history that celebrates resilience, faith, and community.

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Neveh Shalome Synagogue

Neveh Shalom Synagogue was the first synagogue ever to be built in Kolkata by the Baghdadi Jews. The synagogue was originally built in the year 1831 to meet the needs of growing Jewish population in Kolkata. Originally designed as simply a prayer hall, after about sixty years it was found to be too small and so was demolished. In it’s place came up the magnificent Magen David Synagogue, which is currently also one of Asia’s largest synagogue. Though the Neveh Shalom Synagogue got replaced by another bigger synagogue, people were still nostalgic about it and in the year 1911 it was rebuilt right next to the Magen David Synagogue. Much simpler in design, the synagogue is more like a prayer hall and is literally a catalogue of Jews in the city. The population of Jews in the city is close to nil, so the synagogue is hardly ever used for prayers now, except on special occasion when Jews often come from Israel to offer prayers. It’s actually the funds from these patrons which keeps the place alive even today.
Sites

Jewish Cemetery of Kolkata

The Jewish Cemetery in Kolkata (Calcutta) houses two genizot, the older one is sealed off, as it was filled to capacity, but the new one still towers above the graves of the Jewish Cemetery. According to historical records, the first recorded Jewish immigrant to Kolkata (Calcutta) was Shalon Cohen in 1798 from Aleppo in present day Syria, soon the Jewish community in the city started to grow. The first recorded Jewish death in the city happened on 1st Jan. 1812 and the community needed a cemetery as the deceased Hacham Moses needed to be buried. Today the Jewish Cemetery on the Narkelgdanga Main Road is still active and contains hundreds of graves but sadly the graves of Moses or Cohen can no longer be traced. Some records suggest the presence of another private Jewish Cemetery in the nearby 24, U. C. Banrejee Road, but it probably no longer exists.
Sites

Maghen David Synagogue

Magen David (or the "Shield of David") Synagogue is located at the junction of Brabourne Road and Canning Street (Biplabi Rashbehari Road) in Kolkata. Magen David is the second operating synagogue in Kolkata, the being the Beth El Synagogue at Pollock Street. The synagogue was built in 1884 by Elias David Ezra in memory of his father David Joseph Ezra, who made his fortune in the real estate trade of Kolkata. Elias David Joseph Ezra is associated with some of the well known buildings of Kolkata including Esplanade Mansion, Ezra Mansion and Chowringhee Mansion. Ezra Street is also named after him. The synagogue is built in the Italian Renaissance style with a brick red finish. The entrance to the synagogue compound is hidden behind makeshift stalls selling hairclips and other trinkets. The Magen David Synagogue is approached through an arched door, containing the hexagonal "Star of David" and Hebrew inscription. The two side walls contains memorial plaques dedicated to the well known Jews of Calcutta (Kolkata). Although the services of the Magen David Synagogue have long stopped, the interior is astonishingly well maintained. The chequered marble floor, gleaming chandeliers, stained glass windows and ornate floral pillars shipped from Paris enhance its Continental look. The ark of the Magen David Synagogue is set into the walls of an apse. The star-studded half dome of the apse represents the heavens. The large plaque above the middle section of the ark contains the Ten Commandments. It also contains several other Hebrew inscription along with several other items of Jewish Iconography, including the seven branched lamp stand of the menorah. High above the wall opposite the ark is a beautiful stained glass rose window. At the centre of the hall is the bimah, the raised platform from which the Torah was read. Two sets of stairs from either side of the hall lead to the upper balconies, reserved for women.
Sites

Beth El Synagogue

The Beth El Synagogye is a long established synagogue serving the Jewish community of Kolkata since the 19th century. It was built in 1856 by David Joseph Ezra and Ezekiel Judah and its style reveals a mix between classic British traditional Baghdadi-Jewish architecture. Beth El (Hebrew for House of God) was financed by Baghdadi Jews David Joseph Ezra and Ezekiel Judah in 1856, before being expanded by community member Elias Shalom Gubbay in 1885 to accommodate Kolkata’s growing Jewish population. Significantly, the architectural style of the synagogue is reminiscent of British and apparently “un-Indian and sometimes Christian” architecture. Yet, it still maintains quintessential symbols of Judaism and Baghdadi/Sephardic Jewish symbols in particular.

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השפה העברית בחלקה, תורגמה בעזרת גוגל. לפיכך, מתנצלים מראש אם נמצאו טעויות. תיאמנו את פריסת הדף. אנו עושים כל מאמץ לשיפור מיטבי של התרגום. מקווים שתהנו מהאתר!
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👉Link to WJT Jewsih Silk Rad Pressbook and more is in our bio

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🌍 Celebrating One Year of the Jewish Silk Road Portal World Jewish Travel was thrilled at #IMTM 2024 to present a copy of the WJT Jewish Silk Road Pressbook to the CEO of the Azerbaijan National Tourism Board Florian Sengstschmid and Jamilya Talibzade its Israeli representative Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB). The Pressbook celebrates the one year anniversary of the Jewish Silk Road Portal launch, an amazing example of using Jewish travel as a means of cultural diplomacy, whilst highlighting the significant Jewish contribution to the ancient trade route. Kudos to our participating partners from the Kiriaty Foundation (Turkey), National Board of Tourism of #Georgia, National Board of Tourism of #Uzbekistan, and Israeli Embassy of #India. See the overwhelming reaction from the press, by downloading our free pressbook. Special thanks to Moshe Gilad of the @haaretzcom for highlighting this forgotten but important story in the Galeria section of the newspaper and available to download on WJT. 👉Link to WJT Jewsih Silk Rad Pressbook and more is in our bio

🌍 Celebrating One Year of the Jewish Silk Road Portal

World Jewish Travel was thrilled at #IMTM 2024 to present a copy of the WJT Jewish Silk Road Pressbook to the CEO of the Azerbaijan National Tourism Board Florian Sengstschmid and Jamilya Talibzade its Israeli representative Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB).

The Pressbook celebrates the one year anniversary of the Jewish Silk Road Portal launch, an amazing example of using Jewish travel as a means of cultural diplomacy, whilst highlighting the significant Jewish contribution to the ancient trade route. Kudos to our participating partners from the Kiriaty Foundation (Turkey), National Board of Tourism of #Georgia, National Board of Tourism of #Uzbekistan, and Israeli Embassy of #India.

See the overwhelming reaction from the press, by downloading our free pressbook. Special thanks to Moshe Gilad of the @haaretzcom for highlighting this forgotten but important story in the Galeria section of the newspaper and available to download on WJT.

👉Link to WJT Jewsih Silk Rad Pressbook and more is in our bio ...

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