Mon Feb 03 00:44:18 IST 2025: ## Historic Kochi Synagogue Reopens After Renovation
**KOCHI, Kerala, February 3, 2025** – The 825-year-old Kadavumbagam Synagogue in Kochi, believed to be the oldest in the Commonwealth, reopened to the public on Monday following extensive renovations. The synagogue, located on Market Road and dating back to 1200 AD, underwent a restoration project spearheaded by Managing Trustee Elias Josephai, with significant contributions from volunteers across various communities.
A “grand thanksgiving event” on Sunday celebrated the reopening, with U.S. Consul General in Chennai, Chris Hodges, as the chief guest. Hodges lauded the synagogue as a testament to successful interfaith cooperation. He also commemorated the Holocaust, highlighting the bravery of those who risked their lives to save Jews during that period.
Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center drew a stark contrast between the rising anti-Semitism and attacks on synagogues globally and the efforts to preserve this historic site, despite the small Jewish population in Kochi. He contrasted the challenges faced by Jews in many parts of the world with the warm welcome they received in Kochi.
The renovated synagogue will feature a two-week display of photographs and information about the Holocaust, showcasing the resilience of the Jewish community. Swami Hariprasad of the Vishnu Mohan Foundation emphasized the collective strength of the Jewish community, even amidst adversity.
Josephai noted that the synagogue’s congregation dwindled in the 1960s, leading to its closure in 1972 and subsequent damage from a storm in 1975. The renovation included a complex hydraulic lifting of the entire structure. With the reopening, the synagogue will now host more regular prayer services. The event also included remarks from Mohiniyattom dancer Brigitte Chataignier, highlighting India’s cultural richness and peace. The reopening was attended by members of the Jewish community and volunteers from across the region.
First Piper 