Mumbai: Second oldest synagogue to celebrate 175 years

The "Shaare Rason" synagogue, considered to be the second oldest synagogue in the city and among the first ones to be made from the contribution from local Jews, will be celebrating 175 years of its existence. The small synagogue is located at Tantanpura Street near Masjid station. However, its celebration will be held at Magen David Synagogue in Byculla due to space constraints. Maharashtra governor and two Rabbis of Indian origin now living in the United States will be attending the celebrations.

"The oldest synagogue is Shaare Harahamim Synagogue in Masjid Bunder. But, that was built when the British gave us money to build it. This one is the second oldest but, was built by collecting money from the locals here," Juda Samuel, president of Shaare Rason Synagogue, said.

The synagogue used to have an Israeli Mohalla opposite to it. "That was when the area was inhabited by Jews. The synagogue had a lot of people coming to visit in 1950s and 1960s. But, after that a number of Jews moved to Israel," said Samuel whose family is also known as Pugavkar.