Over the centuries, Indian Jews have lived in various parts of the Indian subcontinent without encountering the anti-Semitism that has been prevalent in many other parts of the world, particularly Christian Europe, which eventually exported its anti-Jewish sensibilities to the Muslim world, particularly in the context of European colonialism and post-colonialism in the Middle East,…
A virtual tour of the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County’s revolving exhibit “Jews of India: The History and Practices of the Bene Israel, Cochin, and Baghdadi Jews” is available. The contribution of books and artifacts by community members Yochanan and Sophie Perry inspired this show. Yochanan Perry leads the tour in this video, discussing…
One of Kochi’s remaining Jewish inhabitants and her Muslim carer have a beautiful friendship. Sarah Cohen’s Hand Embroidery is a world-famous boutique in Kerala’s ‘Jew Town’ that sells Jewish specialty products. Sarah Aunty, who is 95 years old, is one of the city’s last remaining members of the Cochin Jews (also known as Malabar Jews)….
In India, Hitler is well-liked. People on the street describe Hitler as a “wonderful leader,” “a lover,” “a brilliant artist,” and “a great innovator,” among other things. Mein Kampf is available in bookstores along the footpath. Hitler is a heroic character in Bollywood cinema. Academics and others investigate the reasons behind Hitler’s popularity in this…
The incredible story of Alfred Rosenfeld, who founded the Jewish Relief Association in India and generously helped many Central European Jews flee to India during World War II. Jess Rowland, a Lewes local, told him the story.
On Dec. 7 at General Muir, Parsi chef Meherwan Irani (owner of Chai Pani), Jewish chefs Todd Ginsberg (General Muir) and Eli Kirshtein (formerly The Luminary), and Indian chef Archna Becker (Bhojanic) came together for Challah Walla, an evening of delicious food and discussion about cultural similarities between Jews and Parsis. The restaurant was full,…
Palak paneer, chana masala, and the obscenely treif-sounding butter chicken don’t exactly scream “Jewish,” and they’re not likely to be on your grandmother’s holiday table. In India, however, Jews have a long history and an even longer culinary tradition. For millennia, India has been home to Jews, mostly from three groups: Cochin Jews, Bene Israel…
An article titled “Malida and the Sustainability of the Small Indian Jewish Community in NYC and the TriState Area” was commissioned by an editor a few years ago, but it was later vetoed. After that, the editor ghosted me, as many authors do. I’m posting this on this platform because I think you’ll find it…
After completing their army service, young adults in Israel take “the big excursion to the East,” whether it’s to “discover themselves” in ashrams, sleep on the beach in Goa, or smoke pot all day away from their parents’ prying eyes. One of the reasons Israelis believe they know everything there is to know about India…
This week, we meet Shobha (“Fori”) Nehru, an aristocratic Indian woman who is married to BK Nehru, a former Indian ambassador to the United States and nephew of India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. She was born and raised a Hungarian Jew, despite being a member of the Indian nobility. Learn how she met Martin…