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History of Kerala’s Jewish Communities
Context:
- Kerala’s Jewish population, once vibrant with 20,000-50,000 members in the mid-1940s, has dwindled to around 4,000-5,000 in India today, with only one Paradesi Jew remaining in Kerala after the death of Queenie Hallegua.
- Malabar Jews (Cochin Jews): The Malabar Jews, also known as Cochin Jews, trace their origins to the time of King Solomon, settling in Cranganore (present-day Kodungallur) around the 10th century BCE. They moved to Cochin in the 14th century due to Portuguese influence, where they received royal privileges and became an integral part of the local economy.
- Paradesi Jews: Paradesi Jews, meaning “foreign” Jews, migrated from the Iberian Peninsula to the Malabar coast in the 15th and 16th centuries to escape persecution in Spain and Portugal. They integrated into Kerala’s society, adopting the Malayalam language and local customs, but eventually distinguished themselves from the older Jewish communities.
- Cultural and Social Distinctions: The Paradesi Jews became distinct from the Malabar Jews, often referred to in Western accounts as “White Jews” and “Black Jews,” though these terms are not accurate. This separation led to two distinct Jewish communities in Kerala.
- Prominent Families: The Koder family was one of the most prominent Paradesi Jewish families in Cochin. Samuel Koder, a key figure, ran the Cochin Electric Company and was a significant leader in the Jewish community. His daughter, Queenie Hallegua, was the last female member of the Paradesi Jews in Kerala.
- Community Migration and Decline: Since the 1950s, many Kerala Jews migrated to Israel, leading to a significant decline in the Jewish population in Kerala. Today, there are only 14 Malabar Jews and one Paradesi Jew left in the region.
- Relics of the Past: The remnants of Kerala’s Jewish heritage include “Jew Streets” in Mattancherry and Kochi, formerly Jewish-owned businesses, and seven synagogues, the most notable being the Paradesi Synagogue built in 1568 CE, one of the oldest in the Commonwealth.