Magen David Synagogue (Byculla) Explained

Building Name:Magen David Synagogue
Location:340, Sir J. J. Road Byculla, Mumbai
India
Religious Affiliation:Orthodox Judaism
Rite:Sephardi
Functional Status:Active
Leadership:Mr. Solomon Sopher
Website:http://www.jacobsassoon.com/synagogues/magen-david-synagogue
Architecture:yes
Architecture Type:Synagogue
Architecture Style:Victorian [1]
Facade Direction:West
Year Completed:1864
Specifications:yes
Capacity:Over 200
Minaret Quantity:1 Clock Tower
Materials:Concrete, Steel, Glass

Magen David Synagogue is an Orthodox Sephardi synagogue located in Byculla, India.

History

Erected in 1864, the synagogue was constructed by David Sassoon in Victorian style for the growing population of Baghdadi Jews who had fled from persecution by the governor and Wali of Baghdad Dawud Pasha. 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.[2]

Legacy

The synagogue is one of the largest in Asia outside of Israel.

Within the extensive grounds of the Synagogue there are two Jewish Schools which are 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.[3]

In 2011, for the celebration of the 150th anniversary, the Synagogue was restored.[2] [4]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Baghdadi Synagogues in Bombay and Poona . shalom2.20m.com . 10 October 2018 . Manasseh, Rachel.
  2. News: Restored Mumbai synagogue celebrates 150 years of peace . 21 Dec 2011 . DNA . 11 November 2012 . Nair, Manoj R..
  3. Web site: Magen David Synagogue . 11 November 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130721034618/http://www.jacobsassoon.com/synagogues/magen-david-synagogue . 21 July 2013 . dead .
  4. News: Lighting The Menorah . 6 December 2010 . Aimee . Ginsburg . Outlook . 10 October 2018.