The Jews of India has partnered with Daniel David, a local Indian Jew from Mumbai (Bombay) who is a professional tour guide for Jewish Heritage sites in India.
About Daniel David:
Daniel has his post-graduate in Business Management and Travel and Tourism. He was inspired by being a tour guide after learning about the many similarities India shared with Israel culturally.
Contact Daniel = daniel (at) thejewsofindia.com (if you are having trouble reaching him, please use the contact form to get in touch with us).
The Tour Covers:
Magen David Synagogue
Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue
Shaar Harahamim Synagogue
Jewish Cemetery in South Mumbai
Bandra Bene Israel Jewish Cemetery
Other Jewish heritage sites around Mumbai (Bombay), monuments, cafés and more!
+If interested, attend Shabbat Services at Magen David
If requested introductions can be made at:
Pune Synagogues
Ohel David Synagogue
Succath Shelomo Synagogue
Kochi
Paradesi Synagogue
Calcutta
Maghen David Synagogue
Beth El Synagogue
About Daniel David & The Jews of India:
Daniel David, was born and brought up in the beautiful city of Mumbai. He has a post-graduate degree in Business Management and another in Travel and Tourism. Daniel has been a freelance tour guide in the city of Mumbai which is referred to as the financial capital of India, it is also called the ‘real modern city’ of India. It is well known for its rich history accumulated through various kingdoms in different eras of history. Due to its versatile culture, there is a lot to gain from this city for the current and future generation.
Mumbai which was originally called Bombaye or Bombay is an island city where you get to see a lot of innovation take place before any other part of India. Some of the example these trends are: Modern Education, Bollywood (movies made with Indian stories), finance, modern culture, Mumbai gives you a glimpse of all cultures and practices in India within the same island city. We share all these and it’s rich history in many with the visitors that come around.
David, being Jewish born and brought up in this same community where his forefathers who were Israeli had settled. They settled here because it was the only country without Anti-Semitism and similar cultural values. The vast similarities between India and Israel were not only through its culture but the history, and way of living and religious values.
This connection inspired Daniel to conduct
a Jewish tours.
Learn the History of the Jews of India from a local:
in this tour you will be getting personal stories from Daniel. For example, he will be sharing details about the migration of the Jewish community since the last 2000 years, to Mumbai from different parts of the world like Israel, Iraq, other middle-eastern countries and Europe. This was before the World war where India had been their fatherland and the locals had accepted them.
In fact, the first synagogue having its own unique history was built by a commander of the English military who was captured as a prisoner of war. During his trial in a Muslim court, he was released because he was Jewish. After he was released he built the temple of God named Gate of Mercy (he believed his release was due to the mercy of God), this was the first synagogue to be built in Mumbai. Other synagogues were built by other Jewish communities after their migration.
This connection has inspired Daniel to also conduct a Jewish tour, in this tour we share details about the migration of the Jewish community since the last 2000 years, to Mumbai from different parts of the world like Israel, Iraq, other middle-eastern countries and Europe. This was before the World war where India had been their fatherland and the locals had accepted them. In fact, the first synagogue having its own unique history was built by a commander of the English military who was captured as a prisoner of war. During his trial in a Muslim court, he was released because he was Jewish. After he was released he built the temple of God named Gate of Mercy(he believed his release was due to the mercy of God), this was the first synagogue to be built in Mumbai. Other synagogues were built by other Jewish communities after their migration.
Interesting disctinction about Bene Israeli Jews:
Our faith in Prophet Elijah remains even here in India, we believe he was our savior. Due to our religion, they have a tradition of the offering of Malida (made of wheat, sugar, dry fruits) kept on a special plate with fruits and special new fruit of the year and we sing with the choir of Elijah and quote few verses of the Torah. Malida has become a tradition of Bene Israeli community and is offered during every happy occasion, it is one of the most important practices which the Bene Israeli community continues doing all over the world. Henna ceremony (party before Marriage) is also a very popular Indian pre-marriage party which the Jews here celebrate in the proper Indian way. However, Jews have a tradition in marriage where a group of people from the groom would come with gifts like gold, clothes, and vessels for the bride, this tradition is based on the incident which occurred in the Bible with Isaac when he first time met Rebbeca a gold nose earring was presented as gift to his later wife.
We include about all this interesting occurrences and information in the Jewish tour.
Daniel’s grandfather was one of the well-known freedom fighters during the freedom struggle for the Independence of India. That was when the importance of Independence was realized and why it was required for we Indians to rule ourselves. After the success of that struggle, we achieved our independence. In India today we can see that we have successfully reached a level of prosperity and have proved our capabilities at every different level and sector.
Daniel is also an environmentalist and animal lover. He feels we all have equal rights on this planet and even animals deserve their own space. With the aid of my private pet society of India, we try our best to do everything we can at our level.
In Daniel’s words:
India itself has really got a lot to give and to share not only to visitors but sharing with each other. The experience I have gained and what I have learned from my family, school, and people around me has led me to know more about us and I believe this is the true journey of life, these experiences make a complete meaning for the journey. I hope you will join me and allow me in sharing these experiences with you. B’Shalom ~ Daniel David