The Jewish connection

Sir David Sassoon Library is one of the many contributions of the Sassoon family to the city. Pic/Wikimedia Commons

Although a minority, the contribution of the Jewish community to the city has been sizable - from giving Bombay its first wet dock ie Sassoon Docks, to being part of the armed forces.

Dr Manjiri Kamat

"They settled in the city in the 18th century, and are divided into three groups: the Bene Israelis came from the Konkan, the Baghdadi Jews have their origins in Iraq and the Cochin Jews, in Kerala. But we mainly speak of the former two in the context of Bombay" says Dr Manjiri Kamat, professor of history at the University of Mumbai.

Dr Neeta Khandepkar

To shed light on the cultural legacy of the Jews in Bombay, Kamat will be moderating a panel discussion titled Uncovering Urban Legacies: The Jewish Diaspora in Bombay, tomorrow. She will be conversing with Sifra Lentin, Bombay History Fellow at Gateway House, and Dr Neeta M Khandpekar, professor in the department of history at the University of Mumbai.

Sifra Lentin

Explaining the theme of the session, Kamat adds, "The Jews don't have their origins in India. Hence, it's a diasporic community: while the Bene Israelis are more assimilated into the country, the Baghdadi Jews' business empire stretched from London to Canton." The talk, Kamat informs, has generated interest among the Jewish community. So, watch out for the Q&A session.

On: February 6, 5 pm to 6.30 pm
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