Hundreds of Jews from around the world came to southern India's Kerala on Thursday to celebrate the 450th anniversary of an 818-year-old synagogue, which was reopening for worship for the first time in 46 years.
Israelis gathered at the Kadavumbagam synagogue and offered prayers, sang devotional songs, took part in a procession as they welcomed a handwritten copy of the Torah that was brought from Israel on the special occasion.
The synagogue was closed for worship in 1972 as many of its members moved to Israel in 1950s and 1960s. It was reportedly robbed and hit by a storm after its closure.
Fewer than 5,000 Jews remain among India's 1.1 billion people, but the faith has a long history in the country, with the first established community thought to have been formed in Kerala in 70 C.E.
"Now it is a time now, very few Jews are here. It should be the monument [monumental] for the Israel and India relationship and it is now, it is getting more strengthened and strengthened by all means," caretaker of Kadavumbagam Synagogue Elias Josephai said.
Youne Mote, who attended the ceremony, said, "It's very great for me because my father [was] born in India and came to Israel about 55 years ago, and it's very wonderful to see this."
