Magen David Synagogue (Byculla)

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

Magen David Synagogue
Magen David Synagogue end of the 19th century
Religion
AffiliationOrthodox Judaism
RiteSephardi
LeadershipMr. Solomon Sopher
StatusActive
Location
Location340, Sir J. J. Road Byculla, Mumbai
 India
Architecture
TypeSynagogue
StyleVictorian [1]
Completed1864
Specifications
Direction of façadeWest
CapacityOver 200
Minaret(s)1 Clock Tower
MaterialsConcrete, Steel, Glass
Website
http://www.jacobsassoon.com/synagogues/magen-david-synagogue

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.[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.[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]

  • Exterior
  • Ark
  • Interior

See also

References
  1. Manasseh, Rachel. "The Baghdadi Synagogues in Bombay and Poona". shalom2.20m.com. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  2. Nair, Manoj R. (21 December 2011). "Restored Mumbai synagogue celebrates 150 years of peace". DNA. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  3. "Magen David Synagogue". Archived from the original on 21 July 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  4. Ginsburg, Aimee (6 December 2010). "Lighting The Menorah". Outlook. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
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