Welcome to
Judah Hyam Synagogue

History

JUDAH HYAM SYNAGOGUE, NEW DELHI, INDIA
                                                        

The presence of Jews in Delhi goes back many centuries, even before the British colonial era. When the capital of India shifted to Delhi, Jews were present in the vital railways, defence and central government services. During the Second World War there was influx of British and American troops and services in New Delhi for Jewish soldiers were conducted by Army chaplains. A few German and Polish Jews,who escaped the Holocaust, also settled in the city.
 
To cater to the growing religious,, social and cultural needs of the community, the Jewish Welfare Association was formed in 1949 on the initiative of Late Mr. Ezra Kolet, Mr. Joshua Benjamin Bhonkar, Mr. Baruch B. Benjamin and Mr. Jacob Solomon, the Station Master of the Delhi Railway Station. This well-knit organisation felt the necessity of a Prayer Hall cum community Centre of its own. The foundation stone was laid on 12th February 1956 and the building was constructed at a total cost of Rs. 23,695 and dedicated on 2 September 1956. Late Dr. Rachel Judah made a substantial donation of Rs. 4,000/- in memory of her father Khan Bahadur Dr. Judah Hyam thus the prayer hall was named"Judah Hyam Hall" and later sanctified as a synagogue. The Hall was designed by Late Mr. J.M. Benjamin who at that time was the Chief Architect to the Government of India and Secretary of the Urvan Art Commission.Later one Sefer Torah was donated by the Knesseth Israel Synagogue of Minneapolis, USA through the kind favor of Leo Gross. Another Sefer Torah was donated subsequently by the Federation of Jewish Agencies of Greater Philadelphia. The first Haftarah Sefer was donated by David Benjamin Rohekar of Bombay. The brass Ner TTamid, ceiling oil lamps and the Teba(Bimah) were given by Late A.E. Isaac of Ajmer. Jacob Miller of the United States sent a special donation for the installation of the Aron Kodesh.
 
An Annexe to the synagogue was constructed on 26th December, 1979 to house a library and an inter-faith study centre. In order to promote goodwill and understanding among all religions, it has a well stocked library of books on all religions and sacred scriptures. People of all faiths and religions are enmcouraged to have access to the books of this library.
 
With the opening of the Embassy of Israel in 1993, the synagogue became a centre of Jewish activity for those diplomats and their families. Since inception, Judah Hyam Synagogue has hosted many distinguished visitors including former Israeli Prime Minister Moshe Sharett, former Israeli Prime Minister(and now President) Shimon Peres, Lord Greville Janner, violinist Yehudi Menuhim.and H.H. Dalai Lama.
 
At present there are 7-8 Indian Jewish families (about 40 persons) in Delhi besides diplomats from various Embassies and High Commissions in Delhi. Regular Friday Evening services are held at 7:00 p.m, during summer and at 6:30 p.m. during summer. The synagogue also conducts services during Purim, Passover, Shavuoth,High Holidays and Hanukkah. The Bar-Mitzvah and Bar-Mitzvah ceremonies are regularly held at the synagogue.
 
Mr. Ezekiel Isaac Malekar who is the Honorary Secretary of the synagogue voluntarily conducts the services at the synagogue besides taking care of the synagogue, library, Inter-faith study Centre for the last 25 years. He has also been participating in Inter-faith prayer meetings as a representative of Jews of India. He has been awarded Doctor of Jewish Welfare, Ambassador of Peace and Mahavir Mahatma Award for preserving Jewish culture in India. General J.F.R. Jacob, former Governor of Goa and Punjab is the President of the synagogue.The present Executive Committee Members are as under:-
 
1.  General JFR Jacob                       - President
2.  Ezekiel Isaac Malekar                   - Honorary Secretary
3.  Mrs. Diana Ezekiel Malekar         - Treasurer
4.  Mrs. Florence Aggarwal                - Member
5.  Miss Elizabeth Daniel                    - Member
6.  Mrs. Jessica Rahamim Varulkar  - Member
 
For further details, please contact Mr. Ezekiel Isaac Malekar, Honorary Secretary at the below mentioned phones and email:-
 
Mobile Phone - (+91) 981-831-7674.

Land line numbers - (+91)-11-2463-5500 and 2464-1058.
E-mail address -    eze_malekar@yahoo.co.in