'Last Jew in Cochin' Explain his Tradition to Billion+ Neighbors

According to Elias “Babu” Josephai, one of the few Jews left in India's State of Kerala today, is guardian of the Kadavumbagam Synagogue in Cochin (Kochi), in southwest India, little is known about the customs and traditions preserved and followed by his community, despite the world renown of the Kochi Jewish settlement.

Josephai's family left for Israel in the 1970s, but he chose to stay back to watch over the synagogue.

Speaking to the Press Trust of India news agency recently, Josephai said, “We staunchly follow our rules and that’s why we could retain our history and traditions for centuries.”

The interview with Josephai was part of India Heritage Walk Festival 2018, established to encourage Indians to "explore the tangible and intangible heritage of their cities and towns."

Josephai explored the history of the Jewish settlement in Kerala through his personal narratives against the background of the dwindling Jewish community in the Cochin. In fact, at this point he is considered to be one of the very last Jews left in the state.

“There are rules and laws for everything, including washing, bathing, and cooking. As far as food is concerned, we do not take meat and milk together. But they can be taken separately after a gap of three hours. Most importantly, the vessels used to store these items should be washed separately,” he said.

“Shabbat is the day of rest," Josephai explained. "In olden days, there used to be a kerosene stove which is usually warm and we keep food which has already prepared on it and this kept it warm.”

The month-long India Heritage Walk Festival 2018 encompassed the entire month of February, exploring the diversity that characterizes the Indian cultural fabric through walks, talks, and film screenings across India.