Synagogues

Historical Facts:

The Sassoon Synagogues in Mumbai and Pune were built by the Sassoons, whose dynasty left a permanent imprint in India.

David Sassoon (1792-1864), the founder of the Sassoon dynasty in India, escaped from the persecution of the Pashas and fled to India in 1828 through Bushire in Iran, along with his father, who died there.

David Sassoon and his large family of eight children established an international empire of trade and commerce. The establishment of many educational, religious and charitable institutions by David Sasoon and his sons benefited the city of Mumbai and the Pune Jewish community.

In 1861, Sassoon built in Byculla, Mumbai, the Magen David Synagogue and some of the most important cultural and civic institutions, including a Hospital, Orphanages, Libraries, Museums, Docks, Schools and charitable organizations. David Sassoon supported scholars and scholarly publications in Pune. He built the David Sassoon Hospital, an infirmary and leposy asylum, and the Ohel David Synagogue, whose 90 feet spire is a Pune landmark.

Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue, Mumbai, India

55, Dr. V.B. Gandhi Marg, Fort, Mumbai – 400 023. (Ph: -91-22-23682296,  91-22-22831502, 22839617)

Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue was built in 1884 by Jacob Elias Sassoon in memory of his father Eliyahoo Sassoon. It is situated in Colaba, the absolute centre of the Town close to the well known hotels of the Taj Mahal and Oberoi Sheraton now Hilton Towers and many other hotels which are situated nearby.

In the earlier years there was a huge Bagdadi Jewish Community living in the area. Most of the affluent Community members lived in the areas close to the Synagogue. The Jewish Club and the David Sassoon Library were close to the Synagogue and during  the High Holidays especially “Rosh Hashanah” and “Yom Kippur”, the entire Synagogue was full up, with extra chairs being placed between benches all around the Synagogue in the men’s gallery.

The ladies, of course, were seated on the upper floor which was also completely packed. Now this Synagogue caters to the local Jewish Community and to the foreigners who come from all parts of the world. There is regular “Minyan” on ‘Erev Shabbath’ and Shabbath, afterwhich the   ‘Kiddush’ with a “Shulhan” (Seudah) is served to all.

For over a hundred years people from Asia would come and make use of the ‘Mikvah’ of the Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue.

Magen David Synagogue

Magen David Synagogue was built by David Sassoon in 1861. This was the first Synagogue that was  built for the Jews in  Bombay  in Victorian style for the growing population of   Jewish Community that resided in the region of Byculla, Nagpada and surroundings.
 
David Sassoon was always particular   of correct timings for prayers and other appointments as a result of which he put clocks towers in   Synagogue and establishment.
 
The synagogue itself is an awe-inspiring area with wide spaces for the congregation and a large ‘Teba’.
 
The domineering colour of the walls is blue. The doorways and arches are tall and wide. The ladies’ balcony has ample space to accommodate large numbers comfortably.

Ohel David Synagogue

 
 
 
Like the Magen David Synagogue in Bombay, the Ohel David Synagogue in Pune was built in 1864 by David Sassoon. Pune was David Sassoon’s second home as well as a significant center of his trading empire.
 
Ohel David Synagogue (also known as ‘Lal Deval’ by the locals) it is a beautiful, quaint structure dominated by red bricks cladding and roofing. It is an imposing structure in the city, embellished with a wide archway entrance and a foyer that leads into the Synagogue.
 
Teakwood has been used in the arches, the stairwells and the panelling along the high windows of the Synagogues. It comfortably seats more than 300 worshippers.
 
The outstanding feature at Ohel David is the imposing, comical-shaped spire that houses the tomb of Sir David Sassoon and an equally beautiful house in which the founder lived for several years.

Sassoon House a Brain Child Of Solomon F. Sopher

Sassoon Guest House,  Magen David Synagogue Compound,340, Sir J. J. Road, Opp.Richardson & Cruddas, Next to Axis bank, Byculla, Mumbai 400 008.
 
In the defunct Lady Rachel Dispensary Building in which the ground floor was used as a dispensary, the earlier Trustees had rented the premises to the Taj Mahal Hotel, whose watchmen stayed in the premises.
 
The top floor was vacant after the  then Secretary of the Trust left for Israel.
 
A thought struck Mr. Solomon Sopher – to turn it into a Guest House for Jews.  Some members asked Mr. Solomon Sopher to name it ‘The Sopher House’ but Mr. Solomon Sopher refused and named it The Sassoon House.
 
With only three rooms on the first floor, services commenced only after the opening ceremony at which the then Consul General of Israel Mr. Daniel Zonshine and important members of the Community including the late Rab. Gabriel from the Chabad House attended.
 
Gradually, the ground floor and the top floor were designed in two rooms and three rooms respectively, in addition to the first three rooms on the first floor of the Guest House. 
 
We now have eight rooms in the Sassoon Guest House Jews can be proud of going to a Guest House which is meant only for Jews. The door of every room has a “Mezuzah” and the Guest House is fully Kosher.
 
Religious Jews find it a great source of help as it is located in the grounds of the Magen David Synagogue so that they can pray and come to the house round the clock on foot.
 
Since its inception, the rooms are all fully Air Conditioned with TVs and now we also have Wi-Fi so that every guest can enjoy their social media.