In 1832, David Sassoon (1792-1864) and his family arrived in Bombay (today Mumbai) after fleeing the persecutions of the ruler of Baghdad, Daud Pasha. This wealthy merchantman, who founded a dynasty known as the “Rothschilds of the East”, was also named the Prince of the Exilarch.

David Sassoon began his sojourn in Bombay at 9 Tamarind Street (today non-existent) [...] [read online...]



Lo Mein to Laksa:
Spice & Kosher
Exotic Cuisine of the Cochin Jews
Submitted by: Bala Menon

These recipes are all from Spice & Kosher: Exotic Cuisine of the Cochin Jews by Essie Sassoon, Bala Menon and Kenny Salem. Spice & Kosher is not a mere cookbook. It tells the story of the Jews of Cochin, walks through their history and captures their unique culture through their food.

“It is often said that our foods link our present lives with that of our ancestors, and it is not easy to explain why the smells of childhood last a lifetime…”[...] [read online...]



This Year in India
Celebration of Passover in the Bene Israel Tradition
by Nissim Moses

The Bene Israel community originated in Maharashtra in India. According to their tradition, they arrived on the Konkan Coast, south of presentday Mumbai, in approximately 175 BCE. Some date this back to an even earlier date.

Like other diaspora Jews, the Bene Israel celebrated the festival of Passover for eight days, with two Seder nights. In the second part of the twentieth century, it became common practice to perform the first Seder with family and to organize a communal Seder for the second night.
  […] [read online...]



Cover Story:
The Art of Identity
Weaving Indian Jewish Narratives
In Conversation with Siona Benjamin
by Erica Lyons


The FACES jump from their frames, dance across the walls of the Flomenhaft Gallery. Life flows from the canvases, their stories swirl around them. It is clear that these are not mere pictures of people but the stories of generations, of families and of the Jewish people.

I had last spoken with Siona Benjamin following her return from India before her Fulbright project research for Faces: Weaving Indian Jewish Narratives had taken form. She had explained her vision for the project to me and shared her photographs of the people that would soon become the subjects of her art. While her passion[…] [read online...]



Best of Asian Jewish Life
A Lesson on Strength in Small Numbers
by Leah Robinson

Seven months ago I left Los Angeles and the comforts of home to serve with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) as a JDC Entwine Global Jewish Service Corps (JSC) fellow in Mumbai, India. I have now been home three weeks and it feels […] [read online...]