Behold! The Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue stands before you, a testament to Mumbai’s diverse heritage. This is not just a building. It is a story etched in stone and brick.
The Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue also known as the Blue Synagogue, is an Orthodox Jewish congregation. Completed in 1884, it proudly stands as the second oldest Sephardic synagogue in Mumbai. Look around you. Notice the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and Oberoi Trident nearby.
Jacob Elias Sassoon established this synagogue. He created it in memory of his father, Eliyahoo Sassoon. The Jacob Sassoon Trust diligently maintains the building. Its significance lies in its blend of Jewish traditions and Indian and English colonial influences.
Before the arrival of Baghdadi Jews, other Jewish communities lived peacefully in India. They coexisted with Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and later, Muslims. This environment fostered a cordial atmosphere free of anti-Semitism. Jewish merchants played a vital role in Bombay’s commercial development. They came from Iraq, Syria, and other Middle Eastern countries.
David Sassoon, Jacob’s grandfather, arrived in Bombay in 1832. He became a magistrate in the cotton industry. David also built the Magen David Synagogue in Byculla. The Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue met the growing needs of the Baghdadi Jewish community. Many Jews came from Bukhara, Persia, and Iraq, especially after the Farhud pogrom in 1941. During festivals like Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the synagogue overflowed with worshippers. Extra prayer services were held in the nearby Cawasjee Jehangir Public Hall.
In 1985, President Giani Zail Singh honored the synagogue’s centennial. India Post issued a commemorative stamp.
Tragedy struck Mumbai on November 26, 2008. Terrorists attacked Jewish sites. Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, who led Sabbath services here, was killed at the Nariman House. Although the Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue was not directly targeted, the attack instilled fear. It also strengthened the bond between Baghdadi and Bene Israel Jews.
Note the synagogue’s architecture. Gostling & Morris of Bombay designed it. It blends Neoclassical and Victorian styles. The base uses stone masonry. The superstructure uses brick masonry. Originally painted grey, the exterior became known as the Blue Synagogue because it was turquoise for a while. A restoration in 2018-2019 returned it to its original white with indigo borders.
Inside, ornamented pillars adorn the space. The sanctuary faces west towards Jerusalem. The bimah features carved marble and a stained-glass arch. Women worship in an upstairs gallery. The synagogue houses Torah scrolls and silver-cased sefarim from the Sassoon family. The ground floor has meeting rooms, school rooms, and a mikveh.
For over a century, people from Asia used the mikveh. The Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue is a symbol of faith. It represents community and resilience. It is open to people of all faiths with valid identification.
The Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue stands as a reminder of Mumbai’s inclusive spirit. It is a place where history, culture, and faith converge. Take a moment to appreciate its beauty and significance.