Beth El and Magen David Synagogue, Kolkata, Re-dedication & Celebration of Restoration

Beth El and Magen David Synagogue, Kolkata

Re-dedication & Celebration of Restoration

Also See: Kolkata (Calcutta ) Jews

As the Muslim boys of Elias Meyer School (popularly known as Jewish Boys School) sang Hebrew song of peace Oseh Shalom at the Magen David Synagogue in Kolkata Ezra Moses could no longer hold his tears.

Re-dedication and Celebration of Restoration of the Beth El Synagogue, Kolkata

A emotional Ezra Moses, presently a resident of Miami, USA, murmured “this is where my parents got married, long time back, probably in 1943. This is the city of my birth.”

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Neveh Shalome Synagogue, Kolkata (Calcutta)

Rebirth of Kolkata’s (Calcuta’s) Oldest Synagogue

Also See: Kolkata (Calcutta ) Jews

“In 1806 Calcutta was at the height of its golden age. Known as the City of palaces or the St. Petersburg of the East, the British bridgehead in Bengal was unquestionably the richest, largest and most elegant colonial city in India.”

William Dalrymple, White Mughal

Neveh Shalome Synagogue, Kolkata (Calcutta)

It was during these golden days of Calcutta (Kolkata) the first Jewish settlers arrived in the city. The first recorded Jewish immigrant to Kolkata was Shalon Cohen in 1798 from Aleppo in present day Syria.

Synagogues of Calcutta (Kolkata)

Synagogues of Kolkata (Calcutta)

Magen David Synagogue and Beth El Synagogue

Also See: Kolkata (Calcutta ) Jews

Synagogues of Kolkata (Calcutta) L: Magen David and R: Beth El

Calcutta (Kolkata) has always been a melting pot of various cultures & religions. Jews were one of the last communities to arrive in Calcutta (Kolkata) but within a short span of time they made their presence felt by controlling a large section of the trade in Calcutta (Kolkata).

PHOTO PUBLICATION – II

JET WINGS

May 2011

Two of my photographs on Calcutta (Kolkata) Synagogues were published in the article titled “Say Shalom to Synagogue” by Sonali Shah in the Jet Wings (In flight magazine of Jet Airways) May 2011 issue.

Pages of Jet Wings with my photos

Two of my published photos are:

• Alter of the Magen David Synagogue
• Stained Glass window of Beth El Synagogue

Alter of Magen David Synagogue, Calcutta (Kolkata)

Alter of Magen David Synagogue, Calcutta

Built in 1884 the Magen David, or the Shield of David, Synagogue is located at the junction of Brabourne Road and Cannig Street (Biplabi Rashbehari Road). It is located on one of the busiest crossing of Calcutta (Kolkata) and its 140 feet high clock tower still dominates the Calcutta (Kolkata) skyline.

The alter of the Magen David Synagogue is crowned with a Apse (Half Dome) studded with stars. It represents the heaven. The large plaque in the middle contain the “Ten Commandments” and several other Hebrew inscription along with several other items of Jewish Iconography, including the seven pointed candle stand of “Menorah.”.

Stained Glass Window Beth El Synagogue

Stained Glass Window, Beth El Synagogue

Built in 1856 the Beth El Synagogue is located on Pollock Street slightly of the Brabourne Road. The Beth El Synagogue is located in one of the busiest & crowded areas of Calcutta (Kolkata) and is surrounded by shops selling electrical goods.

The interior of the Beth El Synagogue is beautifully decorated with long slender columns and balconies with ornamental railings. The decoration is complete with chandeliers and stained glass windows. Light filtering through the coloured glass of the stained glass windows of the Beth El Synagogue creates a mystic effect.

Although restricted to geometric and floral design the stained glass are one of the finest attraction of the Beth El Synagogue. The alter is flanked on either side by two beautiful arched window.

Online link to the article:

Page 1, Page 2, Page 3.

More photos of Synagogues of Calcutta (Kolkata)

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