The Magen David Synagogue (Hebrew: בית הכנסת מגן דוד, lit. 'Shield of David Synagogue'; Malayalam: മാഗെൻ ഡേവിഡ് സിനഗോഗ്) is an Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue, located in Byculla, Mumbai, in the state of Maharashtra, India.
| Magen David Synagogue | |
|---|---|
 The synagogue, in 2020 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Orthodox Judaism |
| Rite | Nusach Sefard |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 340, Sir J. J. Road Byculla, Mumbai |
| Country | India |
  Location of the synagogue in Mumbai | |
| Geographic coordinates | 18°58′01″N 72°49′55″E / 18.966961°N 72.832071°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Synagogue architecture |
| Style | |
| Funded by | David Sassoon |
| Completed | 1864 |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | West |
| Capacity | Over 200 |
| Minaret(s) | One (Clock tower) |
| Materials | Concrete, steel, glass |
History
editThe Victorian[1][2] and Neoclassical-styled[3] Sephardi synagogue was constructed in 1864 by David Sassoon for the growing population of Baghdadi Jews who had fled from persecution by the governor and Wali of Baghdad Dawud Pasha.[1] By 1910, the Jewish community in the neighbourhood of Byculla had increased to the extent that the synagogue could no longer service all the devotees and the synagogue was extended with the help of Jacob, David Sassoon's grandson.[4]
Legacy
editThe synagogue is one of the largest[clarification needed] in Asia outside of Israel.
Within the extensive grounds of the synagogue there are two Jewish schools that are both operated by the Sir Jacob Sassoon High School Trust and the E.E.E. Sassoon High School Trust, in which Jewish children were originally educated. Over time most of the Bagdadi Jews moved to the more affluent Colaba area or abroad to Israel, Australia, Britain and Canada. With the scarcity of Jewish students, the schools have opened to all communities and currently provide for the population in the vicinity, which is 98% Muslim.[5]
The synagogue was restored for the celebration of the 150th anniversary in 2011.[4][6]
Gallery
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Exterior -
Ark -
Interior -
The synagogue, in c. 1900s -
Interiors
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See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b Manasseh, Rachel. "The Baghdadi Synagogues in Bombay and Poona". shalom2.20m.com. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ^ Datta, Rangan (2 June 2020). "Magen David Synagogue, Byculla, Mumbai". The Victorian Web. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ^ "Magen David" (moving panoramic images of the synagogue interior). Synagogues360. 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ^ a b Nair, Manoj R. (21 December 2011). "Restored Mumbai synagogue celebrates 150 years of peace". DNA India. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
- ^ "Magen David Synagogue". Sir Jacob Sassoon High School Trust. Archived from the original on 21 July 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
- ^ Ginsburg, Aimee (6 December 2010). "Lighting The Menorah". Outlook India. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
External links
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Media related to Magen David Synagogue (Byculla) at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website[dead link]
- "Magen David Synagogue, Mumbai, India". Diarna.org. Digital Heritage Mapping. 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2024.