The Thekkumbhagam Synagogue (Built in 1200 AD), Kochi, Kerala. spiritofkerala.com |
The Thekkumbhagam Synagogue (Built in 1200 AD), Kochi, Kerala. www.spiritofkerala.com |
Since the members of Jewish community living in this area in 1950s and 1960s moved over to the new nation Israel when it was founded in late 1940s, the number of service in the synagogues also came down. The total number of Jews now living in this area is less than 50 and they live in scattered areas. The population used to be more than 2500 in the early 1940s. Mostly they were traders. At the Kadavumbhagam Synagogue, there has been no services since 1972.
Unfortunately today it stands locked and unused because of lack of patrons. According to the Kerala government (department of culture): “The synagogue is of historical importance .... as per the Kerala Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1968, they decided to declare it a heritage monument.’’.
Recently the government has made a decision to renovate the place of worship and restore the abandoned Jewish cemetery located near Jew Street and Broadway. Once it becomes a 'national monument', services will not be conducted because of dwindling Jewish population.
Ref:
http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article259225.ece?service=print