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'''Paradesi Jews''' The so-called [[Spanish and Portuguese Jews]] and [[British Jews]] arrived in [[Cochin]] and [[Madras]] during the 15th century. Paradesi Jews were originally [[Sephardic]] immigrants from Sepharad (Spain and Portugal) during the 15th and 16th centuries who fled conversion or persecution in the wake of the [[Alhambra Decree]] expelling Jews from Spain. They are sometimes referred to as White Jews, although that usage is generally considered pejorative or discriminatory and refers to relatively recent Jewish immigrants (end of the 15th century onward), predominantly [[Sephardi]]m.<ref name="Orpa Slapak"/>
'''Paradesi Jews''' The so-called [[Spanish and Portuguese Jews]] and [[British Jews]] arrived in [[Cochin]] and [[Madras]] during the 15th century. Paradesi Jews were originally [[Sephardic]] immigrants from Sepharad (Spain and Portugal) during the 15th and 16th centuries who fled conversion or persecution in the wake of the [[Alhambra Decree]] expelling Jews from Spain. They are sometimes referred to as White Jews, although that usage is generally considered pejorative or discriminatory and refers to relatively recent Jewish immigrants (end of the 15th century onward), predominantly [[Sephardi]]m.<ref name="Orpa Slapak"/>


Paradesi Jews of Cochin were mainly traders are a community of Sephardic Jews settled among the larger [[Cochin Jews|Cochin Jewish]] community located in [[Kerala]], a coastal southern state of India.<ref name="Orpa Slapak">The Jews of India: A Story of Three Communities by Orpa Slapak. The Israel Museum, Jerusalem. 2003. p. 28. ISBN 965-278-179-7.</ref>
Paradesi Jews of [[Cochin]] were mainly traders are a community of [[Sephardic Jews]] settled among the larger [[Cochin Jews|Cochin Jewish]] community located in [[Kerala]], a coastal southern state of India.<ref name="Orpa Slapak">The Jews of India: A Story of Three Communities by Orpa Slapak. The Israel Museum, Jerusalem. 2003. p. 28. ISBN 965-278-179-7.</ref>


Paradesi Jews of [[Madras]] traded in diamonds, precious stones and corals,{{cn|date=May 2016}} they had very good relations with the rulers of Golkonda, they maintained trade connections to Europe, and their language skills were useful. Although the Sephardim spoke [[Judaeo-Spanish|Ladino]] (i.e. Spanish or Judeo-Spanish), in India they learned Tamil and Judeo-Malayalam from the Malabar Jews<ref name=Katz-Koder-Puthiakunnel>Katz 2000; Koder 1973; Thomas Puthiakunnel 1973.</ref>{{full|date=May 2016}}
Paradesi Jews of [[Madras]] traded in diamonds, precious stones and corals,{{cn}} they had very good relations with the rulers of Golkonda,<ref name="iajgsjewishcemeteryproject.org">http://www.iajgsjewishcemeteryproject.org/india/chennai.html</ref><ref name="thehindu.com">http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/09/30/stories/2002093000180300.htm</ref> they maintained trade connections to Europe, and their language skills were useful. Although the Sephardim spoke [[Judaeo-Spanish|Ladino]] (i.e. Spanish or Judeo-Spanish), in India they learned Tamil and Judeo-Malayalam from the Malabar Jews<ref name=Katz-Koder-Puthiakunnel>Katz 2000; Koder 1973; Thomas Puthiakunnel 1973.</ref>


==Persecution by Portuguese in Cochin==
{{Further|Goa Inquisition}}
The Spanish-speaking Paradesi Jews prospered as traders under the Portuguese (since 1504) and Spanish rule (between 1580 and 1640). They were not persecuted as Jews by the [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]], being under the protection of their allied [[Monarchy of Cochin|Raja of Cochin]], unlike those Christian converts of Jewish descent living in Lower Cochin, [[Santa Cruz de Cochim]] ([[Fort Kochi]]) under Iberian rule that tried to reconnect with their roots through their kin in Upper Cochin, [[Cochim de Cima]] ([[Mattancherry]]). Among these, many were forced to practice their faith in private, some were judged by the Inquisition from 1570 and even burnt at the stake and others allegedly became a part of the Syrian Malabar Nasrani community. The inquisition targeted the [[Syrian Malabar Nasranis|Nasarani]] community as well, who had close ties to the Paradesi and even closer ties to other Christian denominations.

==History of Cochin Paradesi Jews==
[[File:57Cochin White Jew Town.jpg|thumb|250px|White Jew Town, Cochin, 1913]]
[[File:57Cochin White Jew Town.jpg|thumb|250px|White Jew Town, Cochin, 1913]]
The Paradesi were [[endogamous]] during their settlement in Kerala. Many those who left and married the local population joined the [[Saint Thomas Christians|Nasrani]] community. This tradition only began to break in the late 1940s or not at all, as most preferred to emigrate to Israel rather than mixing with the darker Malabar Jews.

The primary original language of the Paradesim was [[Ladino language|Ladino]], which contributed a number of [[loanword]]s to [[Judeo-Malayalam]], the pre-existing [[Jewish languages|Jewish language]] of the Kerala Jewish community. The Pardesi Jews had one place of worship: the [[Paradesi Synagogue]], the oldest synagogue in Cochin.

Most of the Cochin Jews, both Paradesi and Malabari, emigrated to [[Israel]] following its establishment in 1948. The remaining Paradesi community dwindled as its members assimilated into the Nasrani Christian community.


==History of Chennai Paradesi Jews==
==History of Chennai Paradesi Jews==
[[Image:De Castro Family Arms.jpg|frame|Coat of Arms of the De Castro Family, from the [[Jewish Encyclopedia]]. Notice that this [[blazon]] does not differ from the Christian Castro coat of arms.<ref>[http://www.geneall.net/P/fam_page.php?id=255 GeneAll - Castro family, with coat of arms], in [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]].</ref>]]
[[Image:De Castro Family Arms.jpg|frame|Coat of Arms of the De Castro Family, from the [[Jewish Encyclopedia]]. Notice that this [[blazon]] does not differ from the Christian Castro coat of arms.<ref>[http://www.geneall.net/P/fam_page.php?id=255 GeneAll - Castro family, with coat of arms], in [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]].</ref>]]


The East India Company (EIC) wanted to break the monopoly of Portugal in trading with diamonds and precious stones of [[Golkonda]] mines. The EIC entered India around 1600 and had built Fort St. George (White Town) fortress by 1644<ref>Roberts, J: "History of the World" (Penguin, 1994).</ref>{{full|date=May 2016}} at the coastal city of Madras, the modern city of Chennai.
The East India Company wanted to break the monopoly of Portugal in trading with diamonds and precious stones of [[Golkonda]] mines, hence East India Company entered India around 1600 and built [[Fort St. George, India]] (White Town) fortress in India, on 23 April 1644<ref>Roberts, J: "History of the World" (Penguin, 1994).</ref> at the coastal city of Madras, the modern city of [[Chennai]].


The East India Company's policy permitted only its shareholders to trade in diamonds and precious stones from Golkonda mines, the Madras Jews were considered interlopers as they traded on their own though their Jewish family community, they had to face opposition.<ref name="books.google.com">https://books.google.com/books?id=3FInDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA69</ref><ref>http://sefarad.org/lm/041/5.html</ref>
The East India Company's policy permitted only its shareholders to trade in diamonds and precious stones from Golkonda mines,<ref name="books.google.com">https://books.google.com/books?id=3FInDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA69&lpg=PA69&dq=Madras+Jews+were+considered+interlopers&source=bl&ots=oudHzCAFKO&sig=420cntnsFP8PzvmBWbNJvD-76Fk&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiMyoSq0ubMAhXDraYKHWCxAVEQ6AEIJzAC#v=onepage&q=Madras%20Jews%20were%20considered%20interlopers&f=false</ref> the Madras Jews were considered interlopers as they traded on their own though their Jewish family community, they had to face opposition.<ref name="books.google.com"/><ref>http://sefarad.org/lm/041/5.html</ref>


Madras Jews specialised in diamonds, precious stones and corals<ref name="thejc.com">http://www.thejc.com/travel/holidays/53919/chennai-where-life-enshrined</ref> they had very good relations with the rulers of Golkonda and this was seen as beneficial to St. George, so Madras Jews were gradually accepted as honourable citizens of St. George/Madras.<ref name="iajgsjewishcemeteryproject.org">http://www.iajgsjewishcemeteryproject.org/india/chennai.html</ref><ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=tbR_LLkqdI8C&pg=PA183</ref>
Madras Jews specialised in diamonds, precious stones and corals<ref name="thejc.com"/> they had very good relations with the rulers of Golkonda,<ref name="iajgsjewishcemeteryproject.org"/> and this was seen as beneficial to St. George, so Madras Jews were gradually accepted as honourable citizens of St. George/Madras.<ref name="iajgsjewishcemeteryproject.org"/>
<ref name="thehindu.com"/><ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=tbR_LLkqdI8C&pg=PA183&lpg=PA183&dq=coral+merchant+street+chennai+jew&source=bl&ots=1JS4cLDdPz&sig=IoYm-OqM7ZwdUKzcMpn3RdD8sYE&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjhx-KU_uLMAhUHo48KHb7GAH8Q6AEINDAE#v=onepage&q=coral%20merchant%20street%20chennai%20jew&f=false</ref><ref name="newindianexpress.com">http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article1320429.ece</ref>


Jews from Leghorn<ref name="iajgsjewishcemeteryproject.org"/> [[Livorno]] and [[Caribbean]] exported textiles, European ornaments/equipments, coral to India and madras Jews exported diamonds and precious stones of [[Golkonda]] mines.<ref name="newindianexpress.com"/>
Jacques (Jaime) de Paiva (Pavia), originally from Amsterdam, was the first Madras Jewish community leader, with his good relations and influence with the rulers of Golkonda, he bought many mines in Golkonda and flourished. He convinced the East India Company authorities to permit Jews to stay in Clive House or admiralty house inside Fort St. George.{{cn|date=May 2016}} He died in Tishri 5448 (1687){{cn|date=May 2016}} after one of his visits to his mines. He was buried in the Jewish cemetery<ref name="iajgsjewishcemeteryproject.org"/> he had established in Peddanaickenpet, which later became the north Mint Street.In 1670, the Portuguese population in Madras numbered around 3000.{{cn|date=May 2016}}


Jacques (Jaime) de Paiva (Pavia),<ref name="iajgsjewishcemeteryproject.org"/><ref>https://4b2ae7d9df4da45f2872b61153ef61ee2b003a65.googledrive.com/host/0B68uBERW6rHYdVgydDBiLUxDbTA/2000s/2006/2006,%20Vol.%2039,%20No.%204,%20July-August.pdf</ref> originally from Amsterdam was the first Madras Jewish community leader, with his good relations and influence with the rulers of Golkonda, he bought many mines in Golkonda and flourished. He convinced the East India Company authorities to permit Jews to stay in Clive House or admiralty house inside [[Fort St. George, India]].{{cn}}
⚫
Before his death he established ‘The Colony of Jewish Traders of Madraspatam’ with Antonio do Porto, Pedro Pereira and Fernando Mendes Henriques.<ref name="metroplus" /> This enabled more Portuguese Jews, from Leghorn, Caribbean, London, Amsterdam to settle in Madras.{{cn|date=May 2016}} Coral Merchant Street was name after the Jews' business.<ref name="thehindu.com"/>


Jacques (Jaime) de Paiva (Pavia) built a synagogue<ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=LnflUVu0w2QC&pg=PA30&lpg=PA30&dq=coral+merchant+street+chennai&source=bl&ots=m-pyk4RPjN&sig=7e8vVq6hQ87C0cqlpRYCFYNjJJw&hl=en&sa=X&ei=2B84U72tH4v8iQfiwoFA&ved=0CEQQ6AEwBDge#v=onepage&q=coral%20merchant%20street%20chennai&f=false</ref> and a Jewish cemetery.<ref name="iajgsjewishcemeteryproject.org"/><ref name="thehindu.com"/><ref name="newindianexpress.com"/> He died in Tishri 5448 (1687){{cn}} after one of his visits to his mines. He was buried in the Jewish cemetery<ref name="iajgsjewishcemeteryproject.org"/> he had established in Peddanaickenpet, which later became the north Mint Street.In 1670, the Portuguese population in Madras numbered around 3000.{{cn}}
⚫
Three Portuguese Jews were nominated to be aldermen of Madras Corporation.<ref name="ReferenceA">https://books.google.com/books?id=4iVSCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT141</ref> Three - Bartolomeo Rodrigues, Domingo do Porto and Alvaro da Fonseca - also founded the largest trading house in Madras<ref>http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/lustre-dims-legacy-stays/article5088977.ece</ref>


⚫
Before his death he established ‘The Colony of Jewish Traders of Madraspatam’ with Antonio do Porto, Pedro Pereira and Fernando Mendes Henriques. This enabled more Portuguese Jews, from Leghorn, Caribbean, London, Amsterdam to settle in Madras, coral merchant street was name after the Jews Business<ref name="thejc.com"/><ref name="thehindu.com"/
⚫
Bartolomeo Rodrigues (Jacob de Sequeira) died in Madras in 1692, he was buried with state honours and his giant tomb became a landmark in Peddanaickenpet, it was pulled down many decades later. He was replaced by his partner, Alvaro da Fonseca (Jacob Jesurun Alvares).{{cn|date=May 2016}}


With the cordial relationship with [[Elihu Yale]], president of Fort St George (Madras) three Portuguese Jews Bartolomeo Rodrigues, Domingo do Porto and Alvaro da Fonseca were included in the 12 aldermen of Madras Corporation.<ref name="ReferenceA">https://books.google.com/books?id=4iVSCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT141&lpg=PT141&dq=Antonio+do+Porto,+Pedro+Pereira+and+Fernando+Mendes+Henriques&source=bl&ots=Sb2O_jR-ss&sig=nvHHBhVUMwJM14VK6DDvvVYI6Co&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj24oqt0uPMAhXFqI8KHREZBn0Q6AEIIzAB#v=onepage&q=Antonio%20do%20Porto%2C%20Pedro%20Pereira%20and%20Fernando%20Mendes%20Henriques&f=false</ref>
⚫
Portuguese Jews in Madras used their Portuguese names on their visits to Goa and Saint Tomé that were in Portuguese control, when the Inquisition was active and their Jewish names in Madras.{{cn|date=May 2016}}


⚫
These three Portuguese Jews Bartolomeo Rodrigues, Domingo do Porto and Alvaro da Fonseca founded the largest trading house in Madras<ref>http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/lustre-dims-legacy-stays/article5088977.ece</ref>
Samuel de Castro<ref>http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/the-portuguese-jews-of-madras/article2252700.ece</ref> came to Madras from Curaçao and Salomon Franco<ref name="iajgsjewishcemeteryproject.org"/> came from Leghorn. <ref name="metroplus">http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/the-portuguese-jews-of-madras/article2252700.ece</ref><ref name="iajgsjewishcemeteryproject.org"/>


⚫
Bartolomeo Rodrigues (Jacob de Sequeira) died in Madras in 1692, he was buried with state honours and his giant tomb became a landmark in Peddanaickenpet, it was pulled down many decades later. He was replaced by his partner, Alvaro da Fonseca (Jacob Jesurun Alvares).{{cn}}
⚫
Isaac Sardo Abendana (1662-1709) from Holland, died in Madras. A close friend of [[Thomas Pitt]] President of Madras on 7 July 1698, he was responsible for Thomas Pitt's fortune. Abendana acquired the Pitt Diamond for Thomas Pitt.{{cn|date=May 2016}}

⚫
Portuguese Jews in Madras used their Portuguese names on their visits to Goa and Saint Tomé that were in Portuguese control, when the Inquisition was active and their Jewish names in Madras.{{cn}}

From the [[De Castro family (Sephardi Jewish)]] Moses De Castro<ref name="thejc.com"/><ref name="iajgsjewishcemeteryproject.org"/><ref name="newindianexpress.com"/> Samuel de Castro<ref name="ReferenceC">https://books.google.com/books?id=Bl9T4uJcBFAC&pg=PA496&lpg=PA496&dq=Samuel+de+Castro+came+to+Madras&source=bl&ots=oHLtIISpDx&sig=ncUI57_wftuGOuKInpL-dasYQ9M&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiglfmmx-bMAhWC6aYKHeOLAuoQ6AEILzAE#v=onepage&q=Samuel%20de%20Castro%20came%20to%20Madras&f=false</ref><ref>http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/the-portuguese-jews-of-madras/article2252700.ece</ref> came to Madras from Curaçao and Salomon Franco<ref name="iajgsjewishcemeteryproject.org"/> came from Leghorn.
The largest De Castro trading house - was founded by Samuel De Castro & Salomon Franco of Leghorn began moving to London, leaving a family member in Madras.{{cn}}

⚫
Isaac Sardo Abendana<ref name="iajgsjewishcemeteryproject.org"/><ref name="thehindu.com"/> (1662-1709) from Holland, died in Madras. A close friend of [[Thomas Pitt]] President of Madras on 7 July 1698, he was responsible for Thomas Pitt's fortune. Isaac Sardo Abendana acquired the Pitt Diamond for Thomas Pitt.


Portuguese Jews were used as diplomats by the East India Company to expand English trading. Avraham Navarro was most prominent of these Jewish diplomats.<ref name="jstor.org">http://www.jstor.org/stable/3622342?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents</ref>
Portuguese Jews were used as diplomats by the East India Company to expand English trading. Avraham Navarro was most prominent of these Jewish diplomats.<ref name="jstor.org">http://www.jstor.org/stable/3622342?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents</ref>

==Last remaining Paradasi Jews==

'''Yaheh Hallegua''' (born c. 1973) is the youngest female Paradesi Jew in [[Cochin]], [[Kerala]], [[India|South India]].<ref name="telegraph">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/asia/india/8162428/India-The-key-to-Kerala.html|title=India: The key to Kerala|last=Cole|first=Teresa Levonia|date=28 November 2010|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5yvjOELg4|archivedate=24 May 2011|accessdate=25 April 2011|location=[[United Kingdom]]}}</ref> She is employed as a ticket seller in the [[Paradesi Synagogue]], handling entrance fees and monitoring attire.{{sfn|Abram|2010|p=181}}<ref name="fernandes">{{cite book|last=Fernandes|first=Edna|title=The Last Jews of Kerala|year=2008|publisher=Portobello Books|location=[[London]], [[United Kingdom]]|isbn=978-1-84627-098-7|pages=12, 25, 26, 32}}</ref>

'''Davvid Levi''' (born 1977) is the youngest male Chennai Jew.
He is son of '''Sarah Levi''', grandson of '''Levi De Castro''' and '''Rachel Halevi Cohen'''.
'''Levi De Castro's''' parents were '''Isaac De Castro''' and '''Maria Franco'''.''' Rachel Halevi Cohen's''' parents were '''Salomón Halevi''' and '''Rebecca Cohen'''.<ref>www.the-jewish-story.org/india.html</ref><ref>http://www.theinfolist.com/php/SummaryGet.php?FindGo=Indian%20Jewish</ref>
<ref>http://www.dtnext.in/News/City/2016/05/09232326/Chennais-link-to-its-Jewish-past-cemetery-in-Mylapore.vpf</ref>


==Jewish Cemetery in Chennai==
==Jewish Cemetery in Chennai==
In 1934, tombstones were moved to the Central Park of Madras along with the gate of the cemetery on which "Beit ha-Haim" were written in Hebrew.<ref>http://sefarad.org/lm/041/5.html</ref> The tombstones were moved again in 1979 to Kasimedu, when government school was approved to be built. In 1983, they were moved to Lloyds Road, when the Chennai Harbour expansion project was approved. In this whole process 17 tombstones went missing including Jacques (Jaime) de Paiva (Pavia).
'''1st shifting (1934)''' Tombstones were moved to the Central Park of Madras along with the gate of the cemetery on which "Beit ha-Haim" were written in Hebrew, the last vestige of Jewish presence in Madras in the seventeenth century.{{cn}}
'''2nd shifting (1979)''' Tombstones were moved to Kasimedu, when government school was approved to be built.<ref name="newindianexpress.com"/>
⚫
<ref name="iajgsjewishcemeteryproject.org"/><ref name="thehindu.com">http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/09/30/stories/2002093000180300.htm</ref>
'''3rd shifting (1983)''' Tombstones were moved to Lloyds Road, when the Chennai Harbour expansion project was approved.<ref name="newindianexpress.com"/> In this whole process 17 tombstones went missing including Jacques (Jaime) de Paiva (Pavia).<ref name="thejc.com"/>
⚫
<ref name="iajgsjewishcemeteryproject.org"/><ref name="thehindu.com"/><ref name="newindianexpress.com"/><ref name="dtnext.in"/>

==Notable Chennai Jews==

* [[Avraham Navarro]] - prominent Jewish diplomats of East India Company<ref name="jstor.org"/>
* [[Samuel de Castro]] - Founder of De Castro Trading house<ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref>http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/the-portuguese-jews-of-madras/article2252700.ece</ref>
* [[Salomon Franco]] - Founder of De Castro Trading house<ref name="iajgsjewishcemeteryproject.org"/>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[History of the Jews in India]]
* [[History of the Jews in India]]
* [[Gathering of Israel]]
* [[Gathering of Israel]]
* [[Judaism]]


==References==
==References==
Line 67: Line 103:


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* http://sefarad.org/lm/041/5.html
* http://www.decastro.gen.nz/
* http://www.decastro.gen.nz/
* Diamonds and Coral: Anglo-Dutch Jews and Eighteenth-Century Trade New edition by Gedalia Yogev (Author)
* Diamonds and Coral: Anglo-Dutch Jews and Eighteenth-Century Trade New edition by Gedalia Yogev (Author)
Line 73: Line 110:
* Goods from the East, 1600-1800: Trading Eurasia By Felicia Gottmann, Hanna Hodacs, Chris Nierstrasz
* Goods from the East, 1600-1800: Trading Eurasia By Felicia Gottmann, Hanna Hodacs, Chris Nierstrasz
* The Jewish Merchant-Colony in Madras (Fort St. George) during the 17th and 18th Centuries: A Contribution to the Economic and Social History of the Jews in India (Concluded) Walter J. Fischel
* The Jewish Merchant-Colony in Madras (Fort St. George) during the 17th and 18th Centuries: A Contribution to the Economic and Social History of the Jews in India (Concluded) Walter J. Fischel
* The Jewish Nation of the Caribbean: The Spanish-Portuguese Jewish Settlements in the Caribbean and the Guianas By Mordehay Arbell
* Madras Rediscovered By S.Muthiah
* Madras Rediscovered By S.Muthiah
* The Palgrave Dictionary of Anglo-Jewish History edited by W. Rubinstein, Michael A. Jolles
* The Palgrave Dictionary of Anglo-Jewish History edited by W. Rubinstein, Michael A. Jolles
* https://4b2ae7d9df4da45f2872b61153ef61ee2b003a65.googledrive.com/host/0B68uBERW6rHYdVgydDBiLUxDbTA/2000s/2006/2006,%20Vol.%2039,%20No.%204,%20July-August.pdf


== External links ==
== External links ==

Revision as of 19:17, 20 May 2016

Paradesi
Yaheh Hallegua, a Paradesi Jew
Regions with significant populations
Israel70
India5+2[1]
Languages
Initially Ladino, later Judeo-Malayalam, Tamil now mostly Hebrew
Religion
Orthodox Judaism
Related ethnic groups
Spanish and Portuguese Jews
Cochin Jews
Sephardic Jews
Sephardic Jews in India

Paradesi Jews The so-called Spanish and Portuguese Jews and British Jews arrived in Cochin and Madras during the 15th century. Paradesi Jews were originally Sephardic immigrants from Sepharad (Spain and Portugal) during the 15th and 16th centuries who fled conversion or persecution in the wake of the Alhambra Decree expelling Jews from Spain. They are sometimes referred to as White Jews, although that usage is generally considered pejorative or discriminatory and refers to relatively recent Jewish immigrants (end of the 15th century onward), predominantly Sephardim.[2]

Paradesi Jews of Cochin were mainly traders are a community of Sephardic Jews settled among the larger Cochin Jewish community located in Kerala, a coastal southern state of India.[2]

Paradesi Jews of Madras traded in diamonds, precious stones and corals,[citation needed] they had very good relations with the rulers of Golkonda,[3][4] they maintained trade connections to Europe, and their language skills were useful. Although the Sephardim spoke Ladino (i.e. Spanish or Judeo-Spanish), in India they learned Tamil and Judeo-Malayalam from the Malabar Jews[5]

Persecution by Portuguese in Cochin

Further information: Goa Inquisition

The Spanish-speaking Paradesi Jews prospered as traders under the Portuguese (since 1504) and Spanish rule (between 1580 and 1640). They were not persecuted as Jews by the Portuguese, being under the protection of their allied Raja of Cochin, unlike those Christian converts of Jewish descent living in Lower Cochin, Santa Cruz de Cochim (Fort Kochi) under Iberian rule that tried to reconnect with their roots through their kin in Upper Cochin, Cochim de Cima (Mattancherry). Among these, many were forced to practice their faith in private, some were judged by the Inquisition from 1570 and even burnt at the stake and others allegedly became a part of the Syrian Malabar Nasrani community. The inquisition targeted the Nasarani community as well, who had close ties to the Paradesi and even closer ties to other Christian denominations.

History of Cochin Paradesi Jews

White Jew Town, Cochin, 1913

The Paradesi were endogamous during their settlement in Kerala. Many those who left and married the local population joined the Nasrani community. This tradition only began to break in the late 1940s or not at all, as most preferred to emigrate to Israel rather than mixing with the darker Malabar Jews.

The primary original language of the Paradesim was Ladino, which contributed a number of loanwords to Judeo-Malayalam, the pre-existing Jewish language of the Kerala Jewish community. The Pardesi Jews had one place of worship: the Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in Cochin.

Most of the Cochin Jews, both Paradesi and Malabari, emigrated to Israel following its establishment in 1948. The remaining Paradesi community dwindled as its members assimilated into the Nasrani Christian community.

History of Chennai Paradesi Jews

File:De Castro Family Arms.jpg
Coat of Arms of the De Castro Family, from the Jewish Encyclopedia. Notice that this blazon does not differ from the Christian Castro coat of arms.[6]

The East India Company wanted to break the monopoly of Portugal in trading with diamonds and precious stones of Golkonda mines, hence East India Company entered India around 1600 and built Fort St. George, India (White Town) fortress in India, on 23 April 1644[7] at the coastal city of Madras, the modern city of Chennai.

The East India Company's policy permitted only its shareholders to trade in diamonds and precious stones from Golkonda mines,[8] the Madras Jews were considered interlopers as they traded on their own though their Jewish family community, they had to face opposition.[8][9]

Madras Jews specialised in diamonds, precious stones and corals[10] they had very good relations with the rulers of Golkonda,[3] and this was seen as beneficial to St. George, so Madras Jews were gradually accepted as honourable citizens of St. George/Madras.[3] [4][11][12]

Jews from Leghorn[3] Livorno and Caribbean exported textiles, European ornaments/equipments, coral to India and madras Jews exported diamonds and precious stones of Golkonda mines.[12]

Jacques (Jaime) de Paiva (Pavia),[3][13] originally from Amsterdam was the first Madras Jewish community leader, with his good relations and influence with the rulers of Golkonda, he bought many mines in Golkonda and flourished. He convinced the East India Company authorities to permit Jews to stay in Clive House or admiralty house inside Fort St. George, India.[citation needed]

Jacques (Jaime) de Paiva (Pavia) built a synagogue[14] and a Jewish cemetery.[3][4][12] He died in Tishri 5448 (1687)[citation needed] after one of his visits to his mines. He was buried in the Jewish cemetery[3] he had established in Peddanaickenpet, which later became the north Mint Street.In 1670, the Portuguese population in Madras numbered around 3000.[citation needed]

Before his death he established ‘The Colony of Jewish Traders of Madraspatam’ with Antonio do Porto, Pedro Pereira and Fernando Mendes Henriques. This enabled more Portuguese Jews, from Leghorn, Caribbean, London, Amsterdam to settle in Madras, coral merchant street was name after the Jews Business[10]Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page).

These three Portuguese Jews Bartolomeo Rodrigues, Domingo do Porto and Alvaro da Fonseca founded the largest trading house in Madras[15]

Bartolomeo Rodrigues (Jacob de Sequeira) died in Madras in 1692, he was buried with state honours and his giant tomb became a landmark in Peddanaickenpet, it was pulled down many decades later. He was replaced by his partner, Alvaro da Fonseca (Jacob Jesurun Alvares).[citation needed]

Portuguese Jews in Madras used their Portuguese names on their visits to Goa and Saint Tomé that were in Portuguese control, when the Inquisition was active and their Jewish names in Madras.[citation needed]

From the De Castro family (Sephardi Jewish) Moses De Castro[10][3][12] Samuel de Castro[16][17] came to Madras from Curaçao and Salomon Franco[3] came from Leghorn. The largest De Castro trading house - was founded by Samuel De Castro & Salomon Franco of Leghorn began moving to London, leaving a family member in Madras.[citation needed]

Isaac Sardo Abendana[3][4] (1662-1709) from Holland, died in Madras. A close friend of Thomas Pitt President of Madras on 7 July 1698, he was responsible for Thomas Pitt's fortune. Isaac Sardo Abendana acquired the Pitt Diamond for Thomas Pitt.

Portuguese Jews were used as diplomats by the East India Company to expand English trading. Avraham Navarro was most prominent of these Jewish diplomats.[18]

Last remaining Paradasi Jews

Yaheh Hallegua (born c. 1973) is the youngest female Paradesi Jew in Cochin, Kerala, South India.[19] She is employed as a ticket seller in the Paradesi Synagogue, handling entrance fees and monitoring attire.[20][21]

Davvid Levi (born 1977) is the youngest male Chennai Jew. He is son of Sarah Levi, grandson of Levi De Castro and Rachel Halevi Cohen. Levi De Castro's parents were Isaac De Castro and Maria Franco. Rachel Halevi Cohen's parents were Salomón Halevi and Rebecca Cohen.[22][23] [24]

Jewish Cemetery in Chennai

1st shifting (1934) Tombstones were moved to the Central Park of Madras along with the gate of the cemetery on which "Beit ha-Haim" were written in Hebrew, the last vestige of Jewish presence in Madras in the seventeenth century.[citation needed] 2nd shifting (1979) Tombstones were moved to Kasimedu, when government school was approved to be built.[12] 3rd shifting (1983) Tombstones were moved to Lloyds Road, when the Chennai Harbour expansion project was approved.[12] In this whole process 17 tombstones went missing including Jacques (Jaime) de Paiva (Pavia).[10] [3][4][12][25]

Notable Chennai Jews

See also

References

  1. ^ Census of India 2001
  2. ^ a b The Jews of India: A Story of Three Communities by Orpa Slapak. The Israel Museum, Jerusalem. 2003. p. 28. ISBN 965-278-179-7.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l http://www.iajgsjewishcemeteryproject.org/india/chennai.html
  4. ^ a b c d e http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/09/30/stories/2002093000180300.htm
  5. ^ Katz 2000; Koder 1973; Thomas Puthiakunnel 1973.
  6. ^ GeneAll - Castro family, with coat of arms, in Portuguese.
  7. ^ Roberts, J: "History of the World" (Penguin, 1994).
  8. ^ a b https://books.google.com/books?id=3FInDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA69&lpg=PA69&dq=Madras+Jews+were+considered+interlopers&source=bl&ots=oudHzCAFKO&sig=420cntnsFP8PzvmBWbNJvD-76Fk&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiMyoSq0ubMAhXDraYKHWCxAVEQ6AEIJzAC#v=onepage&q=Madras%20Jews%20were%20considered%20interlopers&f=false
  9. ^ http://sefarad.org/lm/041/5.html
  10. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference thejc.com was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ https://books.google.com/books?id=tbR_LLkqdI8C&pg=PA183&lpg=PA183&dq=coral+merchant+street+chennai+jew&source=bl&ots=1JS4cLDdPz&sig=IoYm-OqM7ZwdUKzcMpn3RdD8sYE&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjhx-KU_uLMAhUHo48KHb7GAH8Q6AEINDAE#v=onepage&q=coral%20merchant%20street%20chennai%20jew&f=false
  12. ^ a b c d e f g http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article1320429.ece
  13. ^ https://4b2ae7d9df4da45f2872b61153ef61ee2b003a65.googledrive.com/host/0B68uBERW6rHYdVgydDBiLUxDbTA/2000s/2006/2006,%20Vol.%2039,%20No.%204,%20July-August.pdf
  14. ^ https://books.google.com/books?id=LnflUVu0w2QC&pg=PA30&lpg=PA30&dq=coral+merchant+street+chennai&source=bl&ots=m-pyk4RPjN&sig=7e8vVq6hQ87C0cqlpRYCFYNjJJw&hl=en&sa=X&ei=2B84U72tH4v8iQfiwoFA&ved=0CEQQ6AEwBDge#v=onepage&q=coral%20merchant%20street%20chennai&f=false
  15. ^ http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/lustre-dims-legacy-stays/article5088977.ece
  16. ^ a b https://books.google.com/books?id=Bl9T4uJcBFAC&pg=PA496&lpg=PA496&dq=Samuel+de+Castro+came+to+Madras&source=bl&ots=oHLtIISpDx&sig=ncUI57_wftuGOuKInpL-dasYQ9M&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiglfmmx-bMAhWC6aYKHeOLAuoQ6AEILzAE#v=onepage&q=Samuel%20de%20Castro%20came%20to%20Madras&f=false
  17. ^ http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/the-portuguese-jews-of-madras/article2252700.ece
  18. ^ a b http://www.jstor.org/stable/3622342?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
  19. ^ Cole, Teresa Levonia (28 November 2010). "India: The key to Kerala". United Kingdom: The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
  20. ^ Abram 2010, p. 181.
  21. ^ Fernandes, Edna (2008). The Last Jews of Kerala. London, United Kingdom: Portobello Books. pp. 12, 25, 26, 32. ISBN 978-1-84627-098-7.
  22. ^ www.the-jewish-story.org/india.html
  23. ^ http://www.theinfolist.com/php/SummaryGet.php?FindGo=Indian%20Jewish
  24. ^ http://www.dtnext.in/News/City/2016/05/09232326/Chennais-link-to-its-Jewish-past-cemetery-in-Mylapore.vpf
  25. ^ Cite error: The named reference dtnext.in was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  26. ^ http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/the-portuguese-jews-of-madras/article2252700.ece

Reference bibliography

Further reading

  • http://sefarad.org/lm/041/5.html
  • http://www.decastro.gen.nz/
  • Diamonds and Coral: Anglo-Dutch Jews and Eighteenth-Century Trade New edition by Gedalia Yogev (Author)
  • Renascent Empire?: The House of Braganza and the Quest for Stability in Portuguese Monsoon Asia C.1640-1683 by Glenn Joseph Ames
  • Global Trade and Commercial Networks: Eighteenth-Century Diamond Merchants By Tijl Vanneste
  • Goods from the East, 1600-1800: Trading Eurasia By Felicia Gottmann, Hanna Hodacs, Chris Nierstrasz
  • The Jewish Merchant-Colony in Madras (Fort St. George) during the 17th and 18th Centuries: A Contribution to the Economic and Social History of the Jews in India (Concluded) Walter J. Fischel
  • The Jewish Nation of the Caribbean: The Spanish-Portuguese Jewish Settlements in the Caribbean and the Guianas By Mordehay Arbell
  • Madras Rediscovered By S.Muthiah
  • The Palgrave Dictionary of Anglo-Jewish History edited by W. Rubinstein, Michael A. Jolles
  • https://4b2ae7d9df4da45f2872b61153ef61ee2b003a65.googledrive.com/host/0B68uBERW6rHYdVgydDBiLUxDbTA/2000s/2006/2006,%20Vol.%2039,%20No.%204,%20July-August.pdf

External links

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