After centuries in India, the last Cochin Jews try to keep their history alive
Associated Press
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Visitors view photos displayed inside a museum showcasing Cochin's Jewish history next to the 458-year-old Paradesi Synagogue in the historic Jew Town neighborhood of Kochi, India, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)Elias Josephai, a Malabari Jew, speaks to The Associated Press at the 12th-century Kadavumbagam Synagogue in Ernakulam, mainland district of Kochi, India, Thursday, May 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)An iron stand with a message at the entrance to the historic Jew Town neighborhood of Kochi, India, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)Keith Hallegua, a Paradesi Jew, stands next to his dining table as his cat walks past at his home in the historic Jew Town neighborhood of Kochi, India, Thursday, May 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)Elias Josephai, a Malabari Jew, speaks to his guests at the 12th-century Kadavumbagam Synagogue in Ernakulam, mainland district of Kochi, India, Thursday, May 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)A nun walks through the main hall with its blue-and-white Chinese porcelain tile floor at the 458-year-old Paradesi Synagogue in the historic Jew Town neighborhood of Kochi, India, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)Visitors walk past a sign featuring a map of Kochi and details about the Paradesi Synagogue and the Jewish cemetery in the historic Jew Town neighborhood of Kochi, India, Thursday, May 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)Keith Hallegua, a Paradesi Jew, speaks to The Associated Press at his home in the historic Jew Town neighborhood of Kochi, India, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)An Indian man prostrates himself in a traditional Hindu gesture of obeisance to the Torah ark during his visit to the 12th-century Kadavumbagam Synagogue in Ernakulam, mainland district of Kochi, India, Thursday, May 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)Keith Hallegua, center, walks past a handicrafts store toward the 458-year-old Paradesi Synagogue in the historic Jew Town neighborhood of Kochi, India, Thursday, May 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)Elias Josephai, a Malabari Jew, wipes away tears while speaking to The Associated Press at the 12th-century Kadavumbagam Synagogue in Ernakulam, mainland district of Kochi, India, Thursday, May 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
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Visitors view photos displayed inside a museum showcasing Cochin's Jewish history next to the 458-year-old Paradesi Synagogue in the historic Jew Town neighborhood of Kochi, India, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)