Kerala, India
കേരളം
Paradesi Synagogue, Jew Town, Cochin, India
The Jews of Cochin moved to India immediately after the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE. Their lineage is one of the most direct to the Israelites of 2,000 years ago. If you take this history to be true, then perhaps these people look quite similar to those that lived and loved in Israel during the time King Solomon’s Second Temple. Most of the Cochin Jews have now emigrated back to Israel, leaving behind a dwindling community in Cochin. The last Rabbi left several years ago and in total between 20 to 50 active Jews remain in Cochin.