Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Dying Generation of Kochi Jews Struggle to Preserve Their History
In a neighborhood called Jew Town in the Indian city of Kochi, there once lived many Jewish families who built beautiful places of worship called synagogues.
Today, almost all of them have moved to a faraway country called Israel, and just a few elderly people are left.
Keith Hallegua is the very last Jewish person living in Jew Town.
He still walks to the old Paradesi Synagogue to pray, but he often has to do it alone.
Elias Josephai, who is 70 years old, takes care of another old synagogue and keeps its special lamp burning.
He worries that after he is gone, no one will be left to tell the community's stories.
The Jewish people of Kochi lived peacefully with their Hindu, Muslim, and Christian neighbors for hundreds of years and were known for trading spices.
Now, people from other religions are helping save their history, like a Hindu caretaker and a Muslim shopkeeper who learned a special Jewish embroidery craft.
A small museum was also opened to show the community's very old history.
Keith Hallegua is the last Jew in Jew Town and the last local congregant of the 458-year-old Paradesi Synagogue, where he often prays alone.
Most of Kochi's Jewish community immigrated to Israel in the 1950s, and fewer than 5,000 Jews now remain in all of India.
Elias "Babu" Josephai, 70, restored the 12th-century Kadavumbagam Synagogue after vandals destroyed it and keeps its prayers and oil lamp burning.
The community's centuries-old history mixes religious freedom with past divisions over class and colorism between Paradesi Jews and Malabari Jews.
People of different faiths are helping preserve the heritage, including Hindu trustee M.C. Praveen, Muslim shop owner Thaha Ibrahim, and a new museum displaying a 1000 CE royal charter.
- Who
- Keith Hallegua, the last Jew in Jew Town and the final local congregant of the Paradesi Synagogue, and Elias "Babu" Josephai, a Malabari Jew who maintains the Kadavumbagam Synagogue in Ernakulam.
- What
- The final generation of Cochin Jews in Kochi is striving to keep their synagogues, history, and traditions alive as their community dwindles.
- When
- Most of the community immigrated to Israel in the 1950s; the Paradesi Synagogue is 458 years old, the Kadavumbagam Synagogue dates to the 12th century, and a heritage museum opened earlier this year.
- Where
- Kochi (historically Cochin), a seaport on India's southwestern coast, including Jew Town and Ernakulam.
- Why
- Because after most Cochin Jews emigrated in the 1950s, only a few elderly residents remain to preserve centuries of Jewish history and heritage.
- Community
- Cochin (Kochi) Jews
- Jews remaining in India
- Fewer than 5,000
- Last Jew in Jew Town
- Keith Hallegua
- Paradesi Synagogue
- 458 years old; relies on tourists and visitors for a prayer quorum
- Kadavumbagam Synagogue
- 12th century; restored by Elias Josephai after being destroyed by vandals
- Community emigration
- Mostly immigrated to Israel in the 1950s
- New museum
- Opened earlier this year; features 1000 CE copper plates granting religious freedom
- Malabari Jewish roots
- More than 2,000 years, tracing to King Solomon's time