India - Jews Celebrate Renovation Of One Of The Oldest Synagogue In The World

Chendamangalam, India - Jews living outside the country recently returned home to participate in a function to celebrate the renovation of the Chendamangalam Synagogue built near the Cochin coast.
The event was celebrated by Jews whose ancestors and forefathers had lived for years and generations at Chendamangalam, a small town in Kerala's Ernakulam District.
The synagogue at Chendamangalam is one of the oldest in the world, it is said to be built in 1614.

Jews first arrived in Chendamangalam following the destruction of the second temple and the desolation of Jerusalem in (A.D. 69).
According to historical sources, Jewish merchants came to India form Judea and Israel during the time of King Solomon for commercial purposes. Gradually the Jews settled in Kerala, lived in peace but later they were persecuted by the Portuguese for religious reasons.
Presently, there are 17 Jewish families with just 50 head adults and children residing in Kerala.
The part of the city where the Jews resided is still known as 'Jewtown'. In 1948 most of them left.
The synagogue on Jew Street in Mattancherry, Old Kochi, is said to be the oldest in India and was built in 1568.