Kochi synagogue up for sale, Jews across the world protest

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If you have a yen for historical monuments and a hefty purse, then you can purchase a synagogue - a Jewish house of worship - in Kochi.

A section of the Jewish community in Kochi has already started efforts to sell off the centuries-old Thekkumbagom Synagogue.

Though there were moves to sell off the synagogues a few years ago, the state government intervened and stopped it after it got a mass petition opposing it from 50 Jews of Kerala who now live in Israel.

This time too, the scattered Jewish community is worried about the sale attempt and the lack of any move from the authorities to take over the monuments officially.

“Illegal attempts are being made by some members of our community in Kochi to sell the Thekkumbagom synagogue,” said 64 year-old Jacob Ben-Eliahu, who now lives in Israel.

“These were given to our community as a gift by the Maharajas of Cochin State and no one has the right to sell it.”

He added that the government was not doing anything to restore this. “How can the authorities let someone sell a place of worship?” he asked.

“'These synagogues are the only roots we possess in Kerala and we request the authorities to protect and declare them as heritage monuments,” said Mr Ben-Eliahu.