Jewish Heritage Tour Cochin
Kochi (Cochin)
The legendary history of Kerala’s Jews goes back to the time of King Solomon (10th century BC), when trade in exotic Indian items – peacocks, ivory, sandalwood and spices flourished. Having first landed centuries ago, Cochin’s Jewish community grew significantly during the 1500s with an influx of Sephardic Jews primarily from Spain, Portugal and Holland, escaping the Inquisition. But, after Israel’s formation in 1948, the Cochin Jews migrated to the Promised Land. Only a handful of Jews still live in Kerala today – however, their synagogues, cemeteries, houses and streets bear witness to their 2000-year old association with India.