De Kochi
Paravur Synagogue – Kerala Jews History Museum
One of the oldest Synagogues in Kerala is the Paravur Synagogue. The Paravur Jewish Synagogue Museum presents the history of Jews and their Synagogues along the Kerala coast, their modes of worship and so on from the point of view of the Jews.
The Paravur Synagogue is the most expansive and complete among synagogues in Kerala. The influence of Kerala style is evident in the special seats designed for females in the second floor, the hanging lamps that decorate the prayer room etc.
Paravur Synagogue – Kerala Jews History Museum – History
This Synagogue was built in 1615. It is one among the largest surviving synagogues in Kerala. The building is located in the former Jewish Street of the Paravur region. It served as the place of worship for the Jewish community that settled very close to the Paravur Market. Though the users of the synagogue have all but faded away, both the market and the synagogue still exist.
Mezuzah
Mezuzah affixed on the door in Synagogue. A mezuzah is affixed to the doorpost of Jewish homes to fulfill the mitzvah (Biblical commandment) to “write the words of God on the gates and doorposts of your house” (Deuteronomy 6:9).
The museum will speak about the history of the Jews in Kerala, about how they came and settled here, their occupation, the deterioration of the community and also about the present status of the people who left from this community. The synagogue is a great study of Jewish life, the social hierarchies, native cultural influences on the immigrant Jewish community evident in the architecture.
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