“If being the final flicker of the Jewish light in Kolkata is our fate, then so be it.”
Kolkata is often regarded as one of India’s most beautiful cities. However, few people realize that the majority of the city’s landmarks were created by members of the Jewish community, not the British. They were once tens of thousands-strong group but currently number just over 20 people.
Following WWII, countries such as Australia and Canada opened their doors to immigrants from all over the world. Thousands of Jews left the country after the establishment of Israel to return to their homeland. Many people in India threw up good employment to live in tents in Israel.
The Jews of Kolkata still own three synagogues, three schools, and a cemetery in Narkedanga, despite their declining numbers. Members of the community are currently contacting Jewish communities in Singapore, Hong Kong, and the United States to see if they can assist with the city’s Jewish affairs. Members of the community accept that they may represent the last generation of Jews in Kolkata. It is, in their opinion, the city’s loss.
