Kadavumbhagam Ernakulam Synagogue

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The Kadavumbhagham Ernakulam Synagogue in Kerala, India, is the restored oldest synagogue of the Malabar Jews with a Sefer Torah scroll and offering occasional services.^[1] It was established in 1200 CE and restored several times through the centuries on the same site.^[2][3] It is modeled on the earliest synagogue of the Malabar Jews (which today is submerged due to the sea level gradually rising over the millennia) at Muziris, which dated from the time of ancient sea trade between the Mediterranean and Kerala.

Although the Chendamangalam Synagogue is the oldest surviving synagogue structure in Kerala and the Indian subcontinent (established in 1166 CE), its Torah scrolls were taken to Israel by its congregation in 1952. This makes the Kadavumbhagham Ernakulam Synagogue the oldest Malabar Jewish synagogue today (since its restoration in 2018) with a Torah scroll that is occasionally used for services.^[4] The Paradesi Sephardic Synagogue at Mattancherry also has Torah scrolls, but was established much later, in 1568 CE.