4. Venician Ghetto and Synagogue Tour

Venician Ghetto and Synagogue Tour

Heritage Group Walking
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TOUR OVERVIEW

Regular guided tours in English and in Italian to the Levantine Synagogue and the Luzzatto midrash are available on Thursdays (from 11:30 am until 5:30 pm) and on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays (from 10:30 am until 4:30 pm). It is possible to book private guided tours to 2 synagogues and the Luzzatto midrash.

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Hotels

AltAir Boutique Hotel

Ambuja Neotia is one of the most prominent and respected corporate houses headquartered in Kolkata, with its forte in real estate and recent forays into hospitality, healthcare and education. The company, under the stewardship of Harshavardhan Neotia, has been responsible for landmark projects in and around Kolkata. Udayan, Kolkata’s first condo villa built on the PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model, made good living ‘affordable’ for the first time in the country and earned Harshavardhan Neotia the Padma Shri in 1999. Upohar~TheCondoville, one of the largest residential projects of Ambuja Neotia, brought together efficiency, comfort and luxury, transforming dreams into reality. With City Centre Salt Lake, the mall concept was revolutionized. Leisure destinations like The Fort Raichak and Ganga Kutir were created along the river Ganges. The Group also forayed into healthcare with the setting up of Bhagirathi Neotia Woman and Child Care Centre. Ecospace Business Park was developed to give the city smarter, greener workspaces for better work-life balance. The Conclave revolutionized the way business clubs were perceived; it’s the first of its kind to blend fine dining, decor and personalized service. With the vision of imparting education that transforms students into leaders for a global society, the Group embarked on a new journey with The Neotia University. The Group continues to launch strings of projects across Real Estate, Hospitality and Healthcare to add to the experiences and keep making a difference to the way people live.
Hotels

The Elgin Fairlawn

Housed in a 1783 building with a colonial-era vibe, the memorabilia-filled iconic heritage hotel has been shaped by the hands and minds of generations of families whose memories and influences have contributed to the unique heritage. Since 1783, The Elgin Fairlawn has stood on the junction of Madge Lane and Sudder Street. This is the heart of the most cosmopolitan and vibrant part of the city. It is within two minutes walk from the famous New Market area, a 100 years old market. Heritage buildings like the Indian Museum, Victoria Memorial and the enthralling Park Street are just beyond. Park Street Metro Station is a few hundred meters away. The Hotel has received several awards that include Six National Awards from the Ministry of Tourism and the Green Hotelier Award. In an attempt to blend historic grandeur with contemporary class, The Elgin Fairlawn will undergo restoration for the next two years. Your stay will now be even more enhanced by upgraded guest rooms, lobby and the lounge area. Whether you are traveling for business or for leisure, we are excited to give our guests a better experience than ever before.
Restaurants

Nahoum and Sons

Nahoum & Sons is an Indian bakery shop situated in West Bengal. It is one of the oldest surviving shops in Kolkata owned by a Jewish family. The products of Nahoum & Sons at Christmas are a part of the culture of Kolkata. Various famous personalities of India have eaten this foods of this bakery. Nahoum Israel Mordecai was a Baghdadi Jew who was the founder of the shop. It was founded 26 years after the establishment of New Market in the city. The Hog Market could be seen from the front of the shop. He changed the location of the shop 14 years after the establishment of the bakery. His son Elias took the responsibility of the shop from second generation. After his death in 1964 his son David Nahoum from third generation of the family took up the responsibility to manage the shop. His brothers Norman and Solomon had the responsibility of store at various times. After death of David in 2013, his brother Issac took the responsibility.
Restaurants

India Restaurant

Haji Syed Mohammad Kalim built a small eatery more than 40 years ago to provide lip-smacking Mughlai dishes at pocket-friendly prices. The place garnered immense popularity in no time because they delivered palatable delicacies consistently at a very reasonable range. Today the proprietors of India Restaurant, Syed Anwar Azeem, Syed Misbah Kalim, and Syed Shahmeer Kalim, took forward the legacy of their father to a different dimension. They have collected their father’s dream and changed it into a beautiful reality. The India restaurant currently provides a delightful and vibrant ambiance having a seating arrangement for 300 people. The restaurant now has added heterogeneity in its menu with Indian and Chinese cuisine. This place still holds its roots and swears by serving the best biryani in town. It is also exploring and experimenting with other flavours and cuisines to give new aspects to the place.
Restaurants

Koshe Kosha

For over a decade Koshe Kosha (KK) has strived to bring back the authenticity of Bengal’s culinary heritage whilst bringing the cuisine to a more contemporary palate. As a unit of Proem Hospitality, KK was created with the single vision to promote the flavours that form this unique cuisine, to a wider audience. With multiple restaurants across India, the food at Koshe Kosha is known for its distinct “Bangaliana”*. Our signature dishes Kosha Mangsho, Chingri Malai Biryani and Bhekti Paturi have brought a smile to thousands of patrons. We are on a quest to bring this same smile and gastronomical experience to the world. Our original menu was limited to the age old “Kosha Mangsho and Basanti Polao” combination. The roots of this confluence originated from North Kolkata but its authenticity was on the verge of extinction. Therefore in the summer of 2007, KK was born with a small space in Hatibagan, Kolkata with the drive to bring this classic back. Over the years, we have added to the menu in order to represent the larger vision of taking this cuisine to new heights. KK has been able to add numerous restaurants in our portfolio and gained years of experience under our belt however, “Kosha Mangsho” will always remain our favourite and most popular dish! *”Bangaliana” – Although definitions can typically vary and be quite abstract, we regard this term as being associated with providing a true reflection of the traits that defines being a Bengali. A projection of the energy, sentiments, culture, thoughts & habits that originate from this historic region.
Guides

Rahel Musleah

India is a vast country of dramatic contrasts, extraordinary cultural richness, and religious diversity. Any visitor to India can choose from a wide array of tours. What distinguishes ours is its "insider's perspective." I was born in Calcutta to a family with Baghdadi roots; I live in the United States today and speak widely about the Indian Jewish communities--always adding music wherever I go. My tour partner, Joshua Shapurkar, is a member of the Bene Israel community of Bombay and has been leading general and Jewish tours for twenty-five years. Together we have an intimate knowledge of the Indian Jewish communities and close relationships with its members. You, too, will be treated as part of our broader family. You will meet and interact with community members, enjoy local hospitality, experience India's magnificent cultural tapestry, and enjoy its rare Jewish treasures. We will attend Shabbat services together in Bombay and Calcutta. I will lead services in the Baghdadi-Indian tradition in the Maghen David Synagogue, where my father was rabbi, and share my memories with you as we walk together through streets and bazaars. Our accommodations are deluxe--and you won't have to worry about meals or transportation in India: almost everything is included. Please join us on this unforgettable adventure!

Tours

Jewish Heritage Tour in Kolkata

Kolkata's Jewish Synagogues sum-up as the important architectural heirlooms from the colonial period in Kolkata. IF you are really looking forward for an historical and cultural treat then include this astonishing tour on your must-visit list right away! We visit below historic and beautiful synagogues in Kolkata: 1. Neveh Shalome Synagogue: The first Baghdadi prayer house in India was formed out of a converted residence. It was Built in 1831, later in 1912 the synagogue was rebuilt again, with fairly simple interiors. 2. Maghen David synagogue: Believed to be Built in 1884, this is in fact one of India’s grandest and largest synagogue whose architectural brilliance will bewilder you, once inside. 3. Beth El Synagogue: Its impressive blue and white interior is lined with imposing columns, decorated with stained-glass clerestories, intricate wood work and antique glass chandeliers.

Tours

Kolkata Jewish Heritage Tour

Enjoy a guided tour of Kolkata’s historic Synagogues. Learn about the history of the ancient Synagogues that have stood tall for so long in Kolkata. Stop at 115 year old Jewish Bakery. Don’t miss Jewish Heritage tour of Kolkata.
Sites

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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