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Interior View of the Synagogue in Cochin, India
Interior View of the Synagogue in Cochin, India

The Jewish Community of Cochin

Cochin

കൊച്ചി / Kochi

A city and former state of the Malabar Coast, latter part of the state of Kerala, India.

The Jews of the area are divided into three groups “White Jews”, “Black Jews” and "Meshuchrarim" (or freedmen). The White Jews (called "Paradesi", foreigners) are a mixture of Jewish exiles from Cranganore and (later) Spain, Aleppo, Holland, and Germany. They follow the Sephardi rite with some Ashkenazi forms.

The Black Jews have separate synagogues from the Whites.

The third group, the Meshuchrarim, were manumitted slaves and their offspring were attached to either of the two communities but had no rights (until 1932) to sit in the synagogue or be called to assist in the services (except on Simchat Torach). Influenced by the Indian caste system, the three groups do not intermarry.

The earliest evidence of the settlement of Jews on the Malabar Coast is given by two copper plates in the possession of the congregation of the White Jews. The text of this inscription can now be definitely established as dating to no earlier than 974 and no later than 1020.

Benjamin of Tudela, in his account of India (c. 1170), apparently states that there were in this region about 1,000 Jews, black like their neighbors, who meticulously observed the Torah and, besides the bible, knew a little of the oral law.

Two waves of Jewish immigration converged on Cochin from Cranganore (Shinkali), the original Jewish settlement on the Malabar Coast, after its destruction by the Portuguese about 1524, and secondly Jews and new Christians, from Spain and Portugal. The Jewish traveler from Yemen, Zechariah Alzahiri (c. 1550) in his Sefer ha-Musar, says that he "met with many Jews in Cushi" (Cochin) where he stayed for three months. In a legal inquiry regarding the status of the Black Jews and Meshuchrarim made to David B. Solomon Ibn Abi Zimra and R. Jacob B. Abraham Castro in Alexandria around 1600, the number of Cochin Jews was given at about 900 householders.

Under the Portuguese rule (1502-1663), the Jews of Cochin could not have survived had it not been for the protection and liberty afforded them by the Rajah of Cochin, who welcomed the new Jewish immigrants, allotted them land to build their homes and synagogues - in the proximity of his own palace in Mattancheri, now known as Jew town - and granted them religious and cultural autonomy. He appointed a hereditary Mudaliar ("chief") from among the Jews as their recognized spokesman and invested him with special privileges and prerogatives and with jurisdiction in all internal matters of the communal organization of the Cochin Jews, though without any political power. This office continued in force under the Rajah and even the Dutch. The first Mudaliar is said to have been Baruch Joseph Levi of Cranganore, who was succeeded by his son, Joseph Levi. The title and position of the Mudaliar was then acquired by the Castiel family. The Jews of Cochin repaid the benevolence of the Rajah by helping him in his military struggles with neighboring enemies, earning a reputation as courageous and loyal fighters. They refused, however, to go to battle on the Sabbath. Most of the Mudaliars became the Rajah's close advisers, and assisted him in diplomatic and economic affairs.

The Dutch period lasted from 1663-1795. That the Dutch forces were able to retreat without loss on the failure of their first attempt to capture Cochin in 1662 was due to the courage of a certain Cochin Jew. The Portuguese forces took revenge by plunder and massacre, burning Jewish books and records, synagogues and homes. The Jewish inhabitants fled to the highlands and returned only after the final conquest of Cochin by the Dutch in the following year.

Dutch rule offered the Jews complete cultural autonomy and religious freedom; it also broke their isolation from the rest of the Jewish world. In 1686 the Portuguese community in Amsterdam dispatched a delegation to Cochin, headed by Moses Pereira de Paiva, to visit the Jewish community and to collect data on its history and way of life. The visitors made a considerable impact on the Jewish community, mainly because of a consignment of Hebrew books that they brought for the community. The 15th of Av, the day of their arrival, was celebrated as a festival in Cochin. The close contact between the Jews of Amsterdam and Cochin lasted throughout the 125 years of Dutch rule over Malabar. Dutch rule also brought unparalleled prosperity to the Jews. The records of the Dutch East India Company of the 18th century in The Hague and in the Indian archives provide abundant documentary evidence on the emergence of a class of Jewish merchants, bankers, leaders in diplomacy, negotiators, and interpreters. Outstanding were the Rahabi, Rotenburg, and Surgun families and Samuel Abraham. In the 17th century Moses de Pereira listed 465 Malabar Jews, and found there nine synagogues, three in Cochin, two in Angicaymal (now Ernakulam), and one each in Parur, Palur, Chenotta (Chennmangalam), and Muttam (Madatankil). Nearly a century later, the Dutch governor A. Moens (1781) mentions 422 families, or about 2,000 persons. The Cochin community maintained close contact with Jewish communities outside India as well as with the Jewish settlements within India. However, the closest contacts were maintained with the Amsterdam Jews, who provided them with books and learning.

Most of the published writings of the Cochin Jews were printed in Amsterdam, e.g., Seder Tefilot (Amsterdam, 1757); this was later republished under the name Chuppat Chattanim (1769, 1842, and 1917). The first Hebrew printing press in India was founded in Calcutta in 1840-41 by a native of Cochin, Eleizer B. Aaron Saadiah Arakiah Ha-Kohen (b. 1800). Between 1841 and 1856 he produced about 28 books of a halakhic, liturgical, and literary nature. Like all oriental Jews, those of Cochin were imbued with a strong messianic spirit. Shabbetai Tzevi, in the 17th century, found an echo even in this remote corner of the diaspora. A close contact between Cochin and the holy land was established from the middle of the 18th century, through emissaries from eretz Israel. The Cochin Jews showed their sympathy with the emerging modern Zionist movement under Theodor Herzl, in a letter wishing Herzl success, written in Cochin in 1901 by Naphtali Eliahu Rahabi (Roby). In 1923 the first Zionist organization was founded in Cochin, and the Jews sent representatives to the Zionist Federation in London and even appointed I. Zangwill as their representative to one of the Zionist Congresses, being themselves unable to send a delegate.

In 1948, most of the 2,500 Jews that lived in Cochin emigrated to eretz Israel leaving less than 100 there. In 1970 the Jews from Cochin in Israel numbered approximately 4,000.

In 1997 there were 6,000 Jews living in India; most of them in and around Mumbai. The magnificent 16th century Paradesi synagogue in Chochin still exists.

Esther Sassoon (b. 1936), obstetrician and gynecologist, born to a poor family in Cochin, India. Her mother's family fled to Bombay after the anti-Jewish riots in Iraq. She was one of four children, educated in St Theresa's Convent in Ernakulum in Kerala and then in the Maharaja College in the city. With the help of a loan from the local synagogue and great determination to succeed she was accepted at the local medical college specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. After graduation she obtained the post of tutor in the obstetric department of the Calicut Medical College. Thereafter, to continue her studies, she was accepted at the institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Egmore, Madras (now Chenai), where she completed her diploma with a gold medal and MD at Madras University in 1967. She obatained loans and financial assistance for the whole time. In 1968 she was promoted to Assistant Professor.

In 1973 Dr Sassoon went to Israel and worked as a volunteer at Tel Hashomer Medical Center. In 1974 she was sent to the Barzilai hospital in Ashkelon where she worked until 2001. She became assistant to the head of the obstetrics and gynecology. She spent a great deal of her spare time helping underprivileged women of Indian origin. She never married.

Nechemia Haim of Moshav Nevatim, Israel, speaks about the traditions of the Jews of Cochin, India. Nehemiah Haim Nehemiah, 71 years old, born in 1948, was born in the city of Ernakulam in the district of Cochin/Kerala, India. Immigrated to Israel in 1954 to Moshav Nabatim. Farmer, Security officer. Married with children and grandchildren. The Cochin community - one of the smallest and oldest Jewish communities in the world, began in the days of King Solomon. The community came from the state of Kerala in southern India, and currently numbers about 6,000 Jews, all in Israel. From 2017, Cochin community began to hold activities led by the forum "The Cochin touch in Israel", for the benefit of the Cochin community in Israeli culture. Among the activities - Cochin genealogy, participation in "Seeing the Voices", and more

-------------------------

This testimony was produced as part of Seeing the Voices – the Israeli national project for the documentation of the heritage of Jews of Arab lands and Iran. The project was initiated by the Israeli Ministry for Social Equality, in cooperation with The Heritage Wing of the Israeli Ministry of Education, The Yad Ben Zvi Institute, and The Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot.
The Oster Visual Documentation Center, ANU - Museum of the Jewish People. The film was produced as part of the Seeing the Voices project, 2019

Hadassah Simcha Shani nee Nechemia of Moshav Nevatim, Israel, speaks about the traditions of the Jews of Cochin, India. The Cochin community is one of the smallest and oldest Jewish communities in the world, dating back to the time of King Solomon. The community came from the state of Kerala in southern India, and currently numbers about 6,000 Jews, all of whom are in Israel. Since 2017, the Cochin community has been holding activities led by their online forum, aimed to promote and preserve the presence of the Cochin community in Israeli culture. Among the activities are a Cochin family tree, participation in Seeing the Voices project, and more. Hadassah Simcha (Nechemia) Shani, born in 1950, was born in the city of Ernakulam in the Cochin district of Kerala, India. She immigrated to Israel in 1954 with her brother and parents to Moshav Nevatim. Hadassah worked as a pharmacist at Soroka Hospital, now retired, and is involved in promoting the glorification of women in the Cochin community and preserving Cochin cooking. Hadassah is married, a mother of 4 children and a grandmother.

-------------------------

This testimony was produced as part of Seeing the Voices – the Israeli national project for the documentation of the heritage of Jews of Arab lands and Iran. The project was initiated by the Israeli Ministry for Social Equality, in cooperation with The Heritage Wing of the Israeli Ministry of Education, The Yad Ben Zvi Institute, and The Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot.
The Oster Visual Documentation Center, ANU - Museum of the Jewish People. The film was produced as part of the Seeing the Voices project, 2019

Yah Shema ("Lord Hear Me" - in Hebrew)

This piyyut by an unknown author is common in communities in Central Asia, Caucasus and India. This version from the tradition of the Jewish community in Cochin, India was sung as part of the Sabbath morning prayer on Shabat Vaychi (the twelfth weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the last in the Book of Genesis). Performed in this recording by Yekara Nehmya (1928-2000) and Nehemya Nehemya (1914-1993).

The Feher Jewish Music Center at ANU - Museum of the Jewish People, courtesy of Nehemya Yekara and Nehemya sons and daughters.

Melech Naala ("A Noble King" - in Hebrew)

Sung as part of the morning prayer on the first day of Passover before the Kaddish, or on joyous occasions such as on the Sabbath before or after a wedding. Performed in this recording by Yekara Nehmya (1928-2000) and Nehemya Nehemya (1914-1993).

The Feher Jewish Music Center at ANU - Museum of the Jewish People, courtesy of Nehemya Yekara and Nehemya sons and daughters.

Eyn Dey Beer Chasdey ("Unlimited Well of Grace" - in Hebrew)

This piyyut by Eliyahu Haim is sung as part of the Hakafot of Simhat Torah (Festival observed to mark the conclusion of the annual cycle of reading the Pentateuch in the synagogue and the commencement of the new cycle) according to Cochin tradition. It was also sung on Sabbaths during or prior to happy occasions. According to Cochin tradition, one selected member of the congregation would sing the beginning of the song, and the rest of the congregation would join in. This same text is also sung as part of the Morrocan Bakkashot in a different melody.

Performed in this recording by Yekara Nehmya (1928-2000) and Nehemya Nehemya (1914-1993).

The Feher Jewish Music Center at ANU - Museum of the Jewish People, courtesy of Nehemya Yekara and Nehemya sons and daughters.

Yonati Ziv Yifatech ("My Dove, Your Beauty Shines Forth" - in Hebrew)

A love song sung on shavuot according to Cochin tradition. Also common as a wedding song in Bene Israel of Bombay tradition and Afghan-Jewish tradition. Performed in this recording by Yekara Nehmya (1928-2000).

The Feher Jewish Music Center at ANU - Museum of the Jewish People, courtesy of Nehemya Yekara and Nehemya sons and daughters.

Mehulal Ekra Adonay ("I Will Praise the Lord" - in Hebrew)

This poem is made up of several biblical references and an acrostic spelling out the name 'Menachem' from the first letter of each stanza, probably referring to the name of the unknown poet. In this recording it is heard in Cochin tradition where it was sung as the Torah scrolls were being returned to the ark on Sabbaths prior to a wedding, and on other happy occasions. Performed in this recording by Yekara Nehmya (1928-2000).

The Feher Jewish Music Center at ANU - Museum of the Jewish People, courtesy of Nehemya Yekara and Nehemya sons and daughters.

El Shokhen Shamayim ("Lord, Who Dwells in the Skies" - in Hebrew)

This piyut is recited during Passover in responsorial form between the cantor and congregation. The cantor sings two highly ornamented lines, with the congregation answering him with the repeating course which is simpler, less ornamented, and made up of three lines.

In this recording, the cantor's part is sung by Yekara Nehmya (1928-2000), with her husband Nehemya Nehemya (1914-1993) joining in for the repeating course.

The Feher Jewish Music Center at ANU - Museum of the Jewish People, courtesy of Nehemya Yekara and Nehemya sons and daughters.

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The Jewish Community of Cochin

Cochin

കൊച്ചി / Kochi

A city and former state of the Malabar Coast, latter part of the state of Kerala, India.

The Jews of the area are divided into three groups “White Jews”, “Black Jews” and "Meshuchrarim" (or freedmen). The White Jews (called "Paradesi", foreigners) are a mixture of Jewish exiles from Cranganore and (later) Spain, Aleppo, Holland, and Germany. They follow the Sephardi rite with some Ashkenazi forms.

The Black Jews have separate synagogues from the Whites.

The third group, the Meshuchrarim, were manumitted slaves and their offspring were attached to either of the two communities but had no rights (until 1932) to sit in the synagogue or be called to assist in the services (except on Simchat Torach). Influenced by the Indian caste system, the three groups do not intermarry.

The earliest evidence of the settlement of Jews on the Malabar Coast is given by two copper plates in the possession of the congregation of the White Jews. The text of this inscription can now be definitely established as dating to no earlier than 974 and no later than 1020.

Benjamin of Tudela, in his account of India (c. 1170), apparently states that there were in this region about 1,000 Jews, black like their neighbors, who meticulously observed the Torah and, besides the bible, knew a little of the oral law.

Two waves of Jewish immigration converged on Cochin from Cranganore (Shinkali), the original Jewish settlement on the Malabar Coast, after its destruction by the Portuguese about 1524, and secondly Jews and new Christians, from Spain and Portugal. The Jewish traveler from Yemen, Zechariah Alzahiri (c. 1550) in his Sefer ha-Musar, says that he "met with many Jews in Cushi" (Cochin) where he stayed for three months. In a legal inquiry regarding the status of the Black Jews and Meshuchrarim made to David B. Solomon Ibn Abi Zimra and R. Jacob B. Abraham Castro in Alexandria around 1600, the number of Cochin Jews was given at about 900 householders.

Under the Portuguese rule (1502-1663), the Jews of Cochin could not have survived had it not been for the protection and liberty afforded them by the Rajah of Cochin, who welcomed the new Jewish immigrants, allotted them land to build their homes and synagogues - in the proximity of his own palace in Mattancheri, now known as Jew town - and granted them religious and cultural autonomy. He appointed a hereditary Mudaliar ("chief") from among the Jews as their recognized spokesman and invested him with special privileges and prerogatives and with jurisdiction in all internal matters of the communal organization of the Cochin Jews, though without any political power. This office continued in force under the Rajah and even the Dutch. The first Mudaliar is said to have been Baruch Joseph Levi of Cranganore, who was succeeded by his son, Joseph Levi. The title and position of the Mudaliar was then acquired by the Castiel family. The Jews of Cochin repaid the benevolence of the Rajah by helping him in his military struggles with neighboring enemies, earning a reputation as courageous and loyal fighters. They refused, however, to go to battle on the Sabbath. Most of the Mudaliars became the Rajah's close advisers, and assisted him in diplomatic and economic affairs.

The Dutch period lasted from 1663-1795. That the Dutch forces were able to retreat without loss on the failure of their first attempt to capture Cochin in 1662 was due to the courage of a certain Cochin Jew. The Portuguese forces took revenge by plunder and massacre, burning Jewish books and records, synagogues and homes. The Jewish inhabitants fled to the highlands and returned only after the final conquest of Cochin by the Dutch in the following year.

Dutch rule offered the Jews complete cultural autonomy and religious freedom; it also broke their isolation from the rest of the Jewish world. In 1686 the Portuguese community in Amsterdam dispatched a delegation to Cochin, headed by Moses Pereira de Paiva, to visit the Jewish community and to collect data on its history and way of life. The visitors made a considerable impact on the Jewish community, mainly because of a consignment of Hebrew books that they brought for the community. The 15th of Av, the day of their arrival, was celebrated as a festival in Cochin. The close contact between the Jews of Amsterdam and Cochin lasted throughout the 125 years of Dutch rule over Malabar. Dutch rule also brought unparalleled prosperity to the Jews. The records of the Dutch East India Company of the 18th century in The Hague and in the Indian archives provide abundant documentary evidence on the emergence of a class of Jewish merchants, bankers, leaders in diplomacy, negotiators, and interpreters. Outstanding were the Rahabi, Rotenburg, and Surgun families and Samuel Abraham. In the 17th century Moses de Pereira listed 465 Malabar Jews, and found there nine synagogues, three in Cochin, two in Angicaymal (now Ernakulam), and one each in Parur, Palur, Chenotta (Chennmangalam), and Muttam (Madatankil). Nearly a century later, the Dutch governor A. Moens (1781) mentions 422 families, or about 2,000 persons. The Cochin community maintained close contact with Jewish communities outside India as well as with the Jewish settlements within India. However, the closest contacts were maintained with the Amsterdam Jews, who provided them with books and learning.

Most of the published writings of the Cochin Jews were printed in Amsterdam, e.g., Seder Tefilot (Amsterdam, 1757); this was later republished under the name Chuppat Chattanim (1769, 1842, and 1917). The first Hebrew printing press in India was founded in Calcutta in 1840-41 by a native of Cochin, Eleizer B. Aaron Saadiah Arakiah Ha-Kohen (b. 1800). Between 1841 and 1856 he produced about 28 books of a halakhic, liturgical, and literary nature. Like all oriental Jews, those of Cochin were imbued with a strong messianic spirit. Shabbetai Tzevi, in the 17th century, found an echo even in this remote corner of the diaspora. A close contact between Cochin and the holy land was established from the middle of the 18th century, through emissaries from eretz Israel. The Cochin Jews showed their sympathy with the emerging modern Zionist movement under Theodor Herzl, in a letter wishing Herzl success, written in Cochin in 1901 by Naphtali Eliahu Rahabi (Roby). In 1923 the first Zionist organization was founded in Cochin, and the Jews sent representatives to the Zionist Federation in London and even appointed I. Zangwill as their representative to one of the Zionist Congresses, being themselves unable to send a delegate.

In 1948, most of the 2,500 Jews that lived in Cochin emigrated to eretz Israel leaving less than 100 there. In 1970 the Jews from Cochin in Israel numbered approximately 4,000.

In 1997 there were 6,000 Jews living in India; most of them in and around Mumbai. The magnificent 16th century Paradesi synagogue in Chochin still exists.

Written by researchers of ANU Museum of the Jewish People
Esther Sassoon

Esther Sassoon (b. 1936), obstetrician and gynecologist, born to a poor family in Cochin, India. Her mother's family fled to Bombay after the anti-Jewish riots in Iraq. She was one of four children, educated in St Theresa's Convent in Ernakulum in Kerala and then in the Maharaja College in the city. With the help of a loan from the local synagogue and great determination to succeed she was accepted at the local medical college specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. After graduation she obtained the post of tutor in the obstetric department of the Calicut Medical College. Thereafter, to continue her studies, she was accepted at the institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Egmore, Madras (now Chenai), where she completed her diploma with a gold medal and MD at Madras University in 1967. She obatained loans and financial assistance for the whole time. In 1968 she was promoted to Assistant Professor.

In 1973 Dr Sassoon went to Israel and worked as a volunteer at Tel Hashomer Medical Center. In 1974 she was sent to the Barzilai hospital in Ashkelon where she worked until 2001. She became assistant to the head of the obstetrics and gynecology. She spent a great deal of her spare time helping underprivileged women of Indian origin. She never married.

Nehemya Nehemya
Nechemia Haim Describes the Traditions of the Jews of Cochin, India, 2018

Nechemia Haim of Moshav Nevatim, Israel, speaks about the traditions of the Jews of Cochin, India. Nehemiah Haim Nehemiah, 71 years old, born in 1948, was born in the city of Ernakulam in the district of Cochin/Kerala, India. Immigrated to Israel in 1954 to Moshav Nabatim. Farmer, Security officer. Married with children and grandchildren. The Cochin community - one of the smallest and oldest Jewish communities in the world, began in the days of King Solomon. The community came from the state of Kerala in southern India, and currently numbers about 6,000 Jews, all in Israel. From 2017, Cochin community began to hold activities led by the forum "The Cochin touch in Israel", for the benefit of the Cochin community in Israeli culture. Among the activities - Cochin genealogy, participation in "Seeing the Voices", and more

-------------------------

This testimony was produced as part of Seeing the Voices – the Israeli national project for the documentation of the heritage of Jews of Arab lands and Iran. The project was initiated by the Israeli Ministry for Social Equality, in cooperation with The Heritage Wing of the Israeli Ministry of Education, The Yad Ben Zvi Institute, and The Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot.
The Oster Visual Documentation Center, ANU - Museum of the Jewish People. The film was produced as part of the Seeing the Voices project, 2019

Hadassah Simcha Shani, Cochin, India, 2018

Hadassah Simcha Shani nee Nechemia of Moshav Nevatim, Israel, speaks about the traditions of the Jews of Cochin, India. The Cochin community is one of the smallest and oldest Jewish communities in the world, dating back to the time of King Solomon. The community came from the state of Kerala in southern India, and currently numbers about 6,000 Jews, all of whom are in Israel. Since 2017, the Cochin community has been holding activities led by their online forum, aimed to promote and preserve the presence of the Cochin community in Israeli culture. Among the activities are a Cochin family tree, participation in Seeing the Voices project, and more. Hadassah Simcha (Nechemia) Shani, born in 1950, was born in the city of Ernakulam in the Cochin district of Kerala, India. She immigrated to Israel in 1954 with her brother and parents to Moshav Nevatim. Hadassah worked as a pharmacist at Soroka Hospital, now retired, and is involved in promoting the glorification of women in the Cochin community and preserving Cochin cooking. Hadassah is married, a mother of 4 children and a grandmother.

-------------------------

This testimony was produced as part of Seeing the Voices – the Israeli national project for the documentation of the heritage of Jews of Arab lands and Iran. The project was initiated by the Israeli Ministry for Social Equality, in cooperation with The Heritage Wing of the Israeli Ministry of Education, The Yad Ben Zvi Institute, and The Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot.
The Oster Visual Documentation Center, ANU - Museum of the Jewish People. The film was produced as part of the Seeing the Voices project, 2019

Yah Shema - Tradition of the Jewish Community in Cochin, India

Yah Shema ("Lord Hear Me" - in Hebrew)

This piyyut by an unknown author is common in communities in Central Asia, Caucasus and India. This version from the tradition of the Jewish community in Cochin, India was sung as part of the Sabbath morning prayer on Shabat Vaychi (the twelfth weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the last in the Book of Genesis). Performed in this recording by Yekara Nehmya (1928-2000) and Nehemya Nehemya (1914-1993).

The Feher Jewish Music Center at ANU - Museum of the Jewish People, courtesy of Nehemya Yekara and Nehemya sons and daughters.

Melech Naala - Tradition of the Jewish Community in Cochin, India

Melech Naala ("A Noble King" - in Hebrew)

Sung as part of the morning prayer on the first day of Passover before the Kaddish, or on joyous occasions such as on the Sabbath before or after a wedding. Performed in this recording by Yekara Nehmya (1928-2000) and Nehemya Nehemya (1914-1993).

The Feher Jewish Music Center at ANU - Museum of the Jewish People, courtesy of Nehemya Yekara and Nehemya sons and daughters.

Eyn Dey Beer Chasdey - Tradition of the Jewish Community in Cochin, India

Eyn Dey Beer Chasdey ("Unlimited Well of Grace" - in Hebrew)

This piyyut by Eliyahu Haim is sung as part of the Hakafot of Simhat Torah (Festival observed to mark the conclusion of the annual cycle of reading the Pentateuch in the synagogue and the commencement of the new cycle) according to Cochin tradition. It was also sung on Sabbaths during or prior to happy occasions. According to Cochin tradition, one selected member of the congregation would sing the beginning of the song, and the rest of the congregation would join in. This same text is also sung as part of the Morrocan Bakkashot in a different melody.

Performed in this recording by Yekara Nehmya (1928-2000) and Nehemya Nehemya (1914-1993).

The Feher Jewish Music Center at ANU - Museum of the Jewish People, courtesy of Nehemya Yekara and Nehemya sons and daughters.

Yonati Ziv - Tradition of the Jewish Community in Cochin, India

Yonati Ziv Yifatech ("My Dove, Your Beauty Shines Forth" - in Hebrew)

A love song sung on shavuot according to Cochin tradition. Also common as a wedding song in Bene Israel of Bombay tradition and Afghan-Jewish tradition. Performed in this recording by Yekara Nehmya (1928-2000).

The Feher Jewish Music Center at ANU - Museum of the Jewish People, courtesy of Nehemya Yekara and Nehemya sons and daughters.

Mehulal Ekra Adonay - Tradition of the Jewish Community in Cochin, India

Mehulal Ekra Adonay ("I Will Praise the Lord" - in Hebrew)

This poem is made up of several biblical references and an acrostic spelling out the name 'Menachem' from the first letter of each stanza, probably referring to the name of the unknown poet. In this recording it is heard in Cochin tradition where it was sung as the Torah scrolls were being returned to the ark on Sabbaths prior to a wedding, and on other happy occasions. Performed in this recording by Yekara Nehmya (1928-2000).

The Feher Jewish Music Center at ANU - Museum of the Jewish People, courtesy of Nehemya Yekara and Nehemya sons and daughters.

El Shokhen Shamayim - Tradition of the Jewish Community in Cochin, India

El Shokhen Shamayim ("Lord, Who Dwells in the Skies" - in Hebrew)

This piyut is recited during Passover in responsorial form between the cantor and congregation. The cantor sings two highly ornamented lines, with the congregation answering him with the repeating course which is simpler, less ornamented, and made up of three lines.

In this recording, the cantor's part is sung by Yekara Nehmya (1928-2000), with her husband Nehemya Nehemya (1914-1993) joining in for the repeating course.

The Feher Jewish Music Center at ANU - Museum of the Jewish People, courtesy of Nehemya Yekara and Nehemya sons and daughters.