Anna and I had an occasion to visit this historical site when Aswathy and Anandit were with us for a weekend recently.
This synagogue built in 1558 by the Spanish, Dutch and some other European Jews who migrated to Cochin in Kerala, remains in its original form and structure even today. The clock tower was added to it in 1760 and is under renovation through the support of of the World Monument Fund. The clock still works and keeps time.
There are some jews resident in the Jew town, who use this synagogue for their Sabbath worship and other religious functions. There is a police check post opposite the synagogue for obvious reason- it is a historical monument and a world heritage centre of some significance.
The road leading to the synagogue accessible only by foot, is lined by shops which sell handicrafts and artefacts from different parts of India. There are Kashmiri stalls, set up by those displaced from the valley in the late sixties during the political turmoil.
The visit brought back to memory of the displacement of the jewish community and their fortune to return to their homeland.
This place is a tribute to human endeavour to redeem life-transforming opportunities however difficult or challenging they are!
We are people of destiny and purpose! The happenings in our lives are purposeful experiences to prepare us for our pilgrim journey in life!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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