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Magen David Synagogue (Byculla)

Coordinates: 18°58′01″N 72°49′55″E / 18.966961°N 72.832071°E / 18.966961; 72.832071
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For similarly named synagogues, see Magen David Synagogue (disambiguation).
Magen David Synagogue
  • Hebrew: בית הכנסת מגן דוד
  • Malayalam: മാഗെൻ ഡേവിഡ് സിനഗോഗ്
The synagogue, in 2020
Religion
AffiliationOrthodox Judaism
RiteNusach Sefard
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusSynagogue
StatusActive
Location
Location340, Sir J. J. Road Byculla, Mumbai
CountryIndia
Magen David Synagogue (Byculla) is located in Mumbai
Magen David Synagogue (Byculla)
Location of the synagogue in Mumbai
Geographic coordinates18°58′01″N 72°49′55″E / 18.966961°N 72.832071°E / 18.966961; 72.832071
Architecture
TypeSynagogue architecture
Style
Funded byDavid Sassoon
Completed1864
Specifications
Direction of façadeWest
CapacityOver 200
Minaret(s)One (Clock tower)
MaterialsConcrete, steel, glass

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.

History

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The 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

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The 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]

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  • Exterior
    Exterior
  • Ark
    Ark
  • Interior
    Interior
  • The synagogue, in c. 1900s
    The synagogue, in c. 1900s
  • Interiors
    Interiors

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Manasseh, Rachel. "The Baghdadi Synagogues in Bombay and Poona". shalom2.20m.com. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  2. ^ Datta, Rangan (2 June 2020). "Magen David Synagogue, Byculla, Mumbai". The Victorian Web. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  3. ^ "Magen David" (moving panoramic images of the synagogue interior). Synagogues360. 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  4. ^ a b Nair, Manoj R. (21 December 2011). "Restored Mumbai synagogue celebrates 150 years of peace". DNA India. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  5. ^ "Magen David Synagogue". Sir Jacob Sassoon High School Trust. Archived from the original on 21 July 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  6. ^ Ginsburg, Aimee (6 December 2010). "Lighting The Menorah". Outlook India. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
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Media related to Magen David Synagogue (Byculla) at Wikimedia Commons

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