Magen Abraham Synagogue, Orthodox synagogue in Old Town, Ahmedabad, India
Magen Abraham Synagogue is a synagogue on Bawa Latif Street in the Old Town of Ahmedabad, built in the Indo-Judaic Art Deco style. It has marble chequered floors, a large ark holding Torah scrolls, and movable pews around a central bimah. Its women's balcony is not supported by pillars, and Grecian pillars rise to a triangular roof.
The building opened in 1934, founded through donations from the Bene Israel community. It took its name from Dr. Abraham Erulkar, who was among the first Jewish residents to settle here.
The synagogue is named for Dr. Abraham Erulkar, among the first Jews to settle in Ahmedabad and father of Dr. Solomon Abraham Erulkar, who helped fund the construction. The Bene Israel congregation, formed in 1848, observes Pesah and the High Holy Days here each year. Look for the artistic grills, stained glass windows and chandeliers among the religious artefacts.
You need to call ahead to get permission to enter. The building sits in Bukhara Mohulla across from the Parsi Fire Temple, which makes it straightforward to locate once you know the area.
This is the only Jewish place of worship in the entire state of Gujarat. Around 120 community members gather here regularly to maintain their religious practices and traditions.
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