Exhibition: Sunday, June 10 – Sunday, September 9, 2018East-West Center Gallery, Honolulu, Hawai‘i

The East-West Center Arts Program presents

Lost and Found:Jewish Communities of India

Curator: Michael SchusterConsultant and Scholar: Kenneth X. Robbins

Photographer: Gayle GoodmanInstallation Design: Lynne Najita

Coordinator: Eric ChangGuest Artist: Siona Benjamin

India.­Although­the­majority­of­IndianJews­have­migrated­to­Israel,­there­is­still­a­presence­in­India.­Through­photographs,­paintings,­video,­ritual­objects,­and­historic­artifacts,­theviewer­is­able­to­learn­about­the­­customs,rituals,­and­synagogues­of­these­uniquecommunities.­The­­exhibition­exploresthe­contributions­of­Jews­to­Indian­society­and­the­impact­of­Indian­cultureon­Jewish­life­there.­­­­­­­­This­exhibition­is­entitled­“Lost­and­Found”­because­over­centuriesthere­has­been­a­continuous­if­often­disrupted­communication­with­the­larger­Jewish­population­centers­in­theMiddle­East­and­Europe.­Some­of­the­Indian­­communities­describe­their

India­has­long­been­a­diverse­regionmade­up­of­different­peoples,­customs,religions,­languages,­and­ethnicities.The­majority­of­people­are­Hindu,­withlarge­Muslim,­Christian,­Jain,­Sikh,­and­indigenous­tribal­communities.­Thereare­also­three­small­historic­Jewish­communities.­Two­of­the­communitiestrace­their­domicile­in­South­Asia­toover­two­millennia.­There­is­physical­and­written­evidence­of­the­Jewish­presencein­India­for­at­least­a­­thousand­years.­­­­­­­This­exhibition­focuses­on­the­following­historic­groups:­the­CochiniJews­(also­known­as­the­Kerala­or­Malabari­Jews),­the­Benei­Israel­Jews,and­the­Baghdadi­Jews.­There­is­no­history­of­indigenous­anti-semitism­in

­ancestors­as­having­been­lost­at­sea­oreven­as­lost­tribes­of­Israel.­Since­Indian­independence­in­1947,­the­majority­ofIndian­Jews­have­“returned”­to­Israel.

IBENJAMIN WASKAR PRAYING, BETH EL (HOUSE OF THE LORD) SYNAGOGUE, REVANDRA, KONKAN REGION, 2017, PHOTOGRAPHER: MICHAEL SCHUSTER

MAGEN ABOTH (PROTECTION OF OUR FATHERS) SYNAGOGUE, ALIBAG, KONKAN REGION, 2017, PHOTOGRAPHER: SURENDRA KUMAR,PHOTO COURTESY OF KENNETH X. ROBBINS

support.­The­Paradesi­(foreigner)­Jewswere­the­most­recent­arrivals­comingfrom­Portugal­in­the­16th­and­early­17th­centuries.­­­­­­­­Many­unique­syncretic­­traditionsand­customs­developed­in­Kerala.­For­example,­congregants­must­take­theirshoes­off­before­they­enter­the­synagogue.Cochini­liturgical­music­and­traditionswere­also­very­distinct,­as­songs­weresometimes­sung­in­Malayalam­ratherthan­Hebrew­and­women­were­permittedto­sing­publicly­in­the­­synagogues.­The­­architectural­styles­of­the­Cohini­synagogues­were­also­­influenced­bylocal­styles.­The­­architectural­style­ofthe­seven­remaining­synagogues­in­Keralamixes­vernacular­Keralan­architecture,Keralan­Hindu­temple­aesthetics,­andPortuguese­colonial­architecture.­TheParadesi­­Synagogue­in­Kerala­is­an­internationally­recognized­historical­site.­­­­­­­­­In­more­recent­times,­the­Cochini­Jewish­community­has­undergone­dramatic­changes.­Approximately­30­Cochini­Jews­remain­in­Kerala,­with­themajority­now­residing­in­Israel.­Whilethere­were­obstacles­to­full­­recognitionby­­rabbinic­authority­in­­Israel,­they­havebecome­fully­accepted­in­the­globalJewish­community.­Despite­the­changes,the­Cochini­Jewish­­community­maintainsits­traditions,­customs,­history,­andidentity.­

The Cochini JewsThe­Cochini­Jews­are­the­oldest­Jewishcommunity­in­India.­The­ancient­historyof­the­Cochini­Jews,­also­called­KeralaJews,­is­rich­with­unique­stories,­traditions,and­practices.­According­to­their­originstories,­they­were­originally­traders­during­the­time­of­King­Solomon­(500BCE)­and­an­additional­migration­wavecame­following­the­destruction­of­thesecond­temple­in­Jerusalem­in­70­CE.­­­­­­­­The­Cochini­Jews­consist­of­diversegroups,­which­are­distinguished­by­whenthey­arrived­to­this­coastal­region.­TheMalabari­Jews,­the­oldest­group,­wereable­to­succeed­early­on­after­­securingthe­protection­of­the­local­­maharajas.They­received­the­full­­support­of­theroyalty­and­in­return­­provided­military

The Benei Israel JewsBenei­Israel­literally­means­the­“children­ofIsrael.”­This­community­traces­its­­originsto­a­legend­that­seven­couples­were­ship-wrecked­on­the­northern­Konkan­coast2,200­years­ago,­a­date­that­­correlates­tothe­destruction­of­the­city­of­Jerusalem­inancient­Israel.­For­the­Benei­­Israel,­theirmost­sacred­site­in­India­is­­located­inKhandala.­This­is­the­location­where­theprophet­­Elijah­is­said­to­have­ascendedinto­heaven­on­his­chariot.­At­this­sitethere­are­­impressions­in­the­stone­thatare­said­to­be­from­the­chariot­wheelsand­horse­hoofs­from­Elijah’s­departure.­­­­­­­­Until­the­19th­century,­the­Benei­Israel­Jews­lived­in­scattered­­villagecommunities­throughout­the­northernKonkan­region­and­were­known­as­being­oil-pressers.­To­the­larger­Hindu­community­they­were­called­the­­SaturdayOil-Pressers­­(Shavinar­Telis)­becausethey­refrained­from­working­on­Saturdaysin­observance­of­the­­Sabbath.­Thisplayed­a­role­in­their­cultural­identityin­the­community.­It­is­­notable­that­theJews­and­the­Muslim­communities­livedtogether­in­harmony­and­similarly­thereare­no­records­of­­prejudice­betweenJews­and­local­Hindus.­­­­­­­­­In­the­19th­century­many­of­theBenei­Israel­were­in­the­military­servinglocal­rulers,­and­later­the­British­colonialarmy.­During­the­British­rule,­besidescontinuing­to­work­in­the­­military­theyaligned­themselves­with­the­­colonial­administration­and­became­teachers,doctors,­railway­workers,­­policemen,and­bureaucrats.­Jewish­women­were

CHENDAMANGALAM SYNAGOGUE, KERALA, 2017, PHOTOGRAPHER:GAYLE GOODMAN

VINTAGE PHOTO OF BENEI ISRAEL JEWS, 1860S, PHOTO COURTESYOF KENNETH X. ROBBINS

PARAVUR SYNAGOGUE, KERALA, 2017, PHOTOGRAPHER: GAYLEGOODMAN

The Baghdadi JewsBy­the­middle­of­the­18th­century,mizrachi (Middle­Eastern)­Jews­hadbegun­to­establish­themselves­in­Surat,a­port­city­in­modern­day­Gujarat.­Whilecommonly­referred­to­as­Baghdadi­Jews,as­the­majority­of­these­Jews­were­­fleeingpersecution­in­Iraq,­others­came­from­anumber­of­different­­regions­and­cultures.Some­of­the­­Baghdadi­­community­tracetheir­­origins­to­other­Middle­Eastern­locations­such­as­Syria,­Yemen,­Egypt,Iran,­and­Turkey.­These­Arabic­and­Persian­speaking­Jews­grew­wealthy­

by­facilitating­the­development­of­commercial-entrepreneurial­enter­prisesin­the­British­and­European­empires.Port­cities­­formerly­part­of­European­empires,­such­as­Rangoon­(Yangon),Surabaya,­­Singapore,­and­Hong­Kong,­experienced­infrastructure­developmentby­­Baghdadi­Jews.­In­India,­the­BaghdadiJews­­flourished­in­Bombay­(Mumbai)and­Calcutta­(Kolkata).­­­­­­­­­The­Baghdadi­Jews­built­strongtrade-based­economies­with­relativeease­and­at­an­astonishing­speed,­andalso­contributed­to­the­infrastructures­ofthe­cities­they­inhabited.­David­­Sassoon,a­Baghdadi­Jewish­entrepreneur,headed­a­­number­of­major­projects­inBombay.­The­Bombay­Docks­were­oneof­the­­primary­enterprises­of­David­Sassoon­and­his­sons.­Several­Jewishwomen­became­early­Bollywood­filmstars.­Esther­Victoria­Abraham,­knownby­her­stage­name­as­Pramila,­was­aBollywood­star­and­the­first­female­producer­in­India.­­­­­­­­Today­the­Baghdadi­Jewish­communities­are­still­found­in­Mumbaiand­Kolkata,­but­their­populationshave­slowly­faded­over­the­courseof­the­20th­century.­Events­such­as­thepartition­of­India­in­1948,­the­formationof­Israel,­calls­for­Zionism,­and­Indiannationalist­movements­have­beenlargely­responsible­for­a­rapid­exit­of­not­just­the­Baghdadi­Jews­from­the­country,­but­other­Jewish­communitiesas­well.­As­of­2017,­only­30­BaghdadiJews­remain­in­Kolkata,­and­are­in­danger­of­disappearing­altogether.

among­the­first­to­receive­a­secular­education­in­India.­­­­­­­­­The­Benei­Israel­are­the­largest­­Jewishcommunity­in­India.­In­1941­there­werenearly­15,000­people.­Due­to­significant­emigration­to­Israel,­today­the­populationis­approximately­5,000­people.­The­majority­live­in­Mumbai­and­its­suburbs.­

AARON KANDELEKAR, TIPPERETH ISRAEL (GLORY OF ISRAEL) SYNAGOGUE, MUMBAI, 2017, PHOTOGRAPHER: GAYLE GOODMAN

SISTERHOOD OF SHAAR HASHAMAIM (GATE OF HEAVEN) SYNAGOGUE, THANE NEAR MUMBAI, 2017, PHOTOGRAPHER: GAYLE GOODMAN

MAGEN DAVID (STAR OF DAVID) SYNAGOGUE, MUMBAI, 2017, PHOTOGRAPHER: GAYLE GOODMAN

LEFT: STATUE OF DAVID SASSOON AT THE DAVID SASSOON LIBRARYAND READING HALL, MUMBAI, 2017, PHOTOGRAPHER: GAYLE GOODMAN

Printed­with­soy­based­inks­on­recycled­paper

The East-West Center promotes better relations and understanding among the peopleand nations of the United States, Asia, and thePacific through cooperative study, research, anddialogue. Established by the U.S. Congress in 1960,the Center serves as a resource for informationand analysis on critical issues of common concern, bringing people together to exchangeviews, build expertise, and develop policy options. The Center is an independent, public,nonprofit organization with funding from the U.S.government, and additional support provided by private agencies, individuals, foundations, corporations, and governments in the region.

The East-West Center Arts Program fornearly 40 years has enriched the communitythrough concerts, exhibitions, and community engagement focused on arts of the Asia Pacificregion, and by arranging cultural and educationalprograms by artists who are skilled in bridgingcultures.

EWC Arts Team: Karen Knudsen, director, Office of External Affairs; Eric Chang, arts program coordinator; Michael Schuster, Ph.D.,curator; Annie Reynolds, arts program assistant;William Feltz, adjunct arts specialist; June Kuramoto, program officer; Gary Yoshida, development officer; Jennifer Leger, develop-ment assistant; Hunter Kaye, student assistant

Mahalo:Mudit Jain, Kenneth X. Robbins, Joyce Robbins, Elias Josephai, Ofra Josephai, ShriHariprasad, Avihu Singsit, Ringo Lhungdim,Ashok Kumar, Noel Samson Chincholkar, Aheibam Homestay, A.M. Cohen, Aditi Roy Ghatak, BensiyonGhosalkar, Ralphy Jhirad, Yael Jhirad, Moses E.Jacob Korlekar, Surendra Kumar, Pushkar Sohoni,Benjamin Waskar, Ian Zachariah, Jael Silliman,Rabbi Ken Aronowitz, Temple Emanu-El, Peter Hoffenberg, Marvin Tokayer, Trudy Schandler-Wong,Andrea Snyder, Nancy E. Hulbirt, Brooks G. BaysJr., UHM SOEST, Lynne Najita, Kennedy & PreissGraphic Design, Leilani Ng, Colorprints Inc.,Shayne Hasegawa, Derek Ferrar, Phyllis Tabusa,Lucy Kamealoha, Deanna O’Brien, Melanie Keller,Tina Tom, Patsy Hiraoka, Marie Ebesu, ReynoldBalintec, EWC Facilities Management

Sunday, June 10, 2:00—3:30 p.m.Exhibition Gala Opening including­reception­and­guided­exhibition­tour­with­scholar,­Kenneth­X.­Robbins­­­­­­­

Sunday, July 15, 2:00—3:00 p.m.Illustrated­Talk:­“Shaloha: The Jews ofHawai‘i” by­Alex­Golub,­Associate­Professor­of­Anthropology,­University­of­Hawai‘i­at­Mānoa­

Sunday, July 29, 2:00—3:30 p.m.Documentary­Film:­“Rafting to Bombay”While­filming­his­father,­a­holocaustrefugee,­revisiting­his­city­of­refuge­inMumbai,­India,­the­director­finds­himselfcaught­in­the­worst­terrorist­attack­in­the­city.­Directed­by­Erez­Laufer,­2008,­71­minutes.

Sunday, August 5, 2:00—3:00 p.m.Illustrated­Talk:­“Encounters with India’sJewish Communities” by­Michael­Schuster,­curator,­and­Gayle­Goodman,photographer

Special Events | In the EWC Gallery with free admission, open seating, no reservations Sunday, August 19, 2:00—4:00 p.m.Film:­“Turn Left at the End of the World”In­a­small­Israeli­development­town­in1968,­the­film­narrates­the­struggle­of­Moroccan­and Indian­­immigrants,­focusingon­the­­relationship­between­two­girls.­Hebrew­with­English­subtitles.­Directed­byAvi­Nesher,­2004,­108­minutes.

Sunday, September 9, 1:00—3:00 p.m.Family Sunday Rosh Hashanah Celebration Rangoli-style­Chalk­Art­Workshop­with­Siona­Benjamin­and­Bollywood­Indian­Dance­Workshop­withHarmony­Turner3:00—4:00 p.m. Illustrated­Talk:­“Finding Home and theDilemma of Belonging” Guest­artist,Siona­Benjamin,­shares­her­experience­of­growing­up­Jewish­in­India­and­how­it­informs­her­artwork.

The EWC Arts Program is supported in part byAqua-Aston Hospitality, The Hawai‘i PacificRim Society, Friends of Hawai‘i Charities, Sidney Stern Memorial Trust, Barbara B.Smith, Richard H. Cox, Jean E. Rolles, EWC Arts‘Ohana members, Jackie Chan FoundationUSA, The Arthur Goodfriend InterculturalFund, and other generous donors.

ERNAKULUM JEWISH COMMUNITY GREETING THE ISRAEL DELEGATION IN 1954, PHOTO COURTESY OF KENNETH X. ROBBINS

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JEW TOWN, COCHIN, 2017, PHOTOGRAPHER: GAYLE GOODMAN

SIONA BENJAMIN, PHOTO COURTESY OF KENNETH X. ROBBINS