Tiphearth Israel Synagogue, Mumbai, Info Heritage Building Tifereth Israel Synagogue Tifereth Israel Synagogue (Hebrew for Glory of Israel) was the third Bene Israel (Children Israel) congregation to be organized in Mumbai. Jewish leaders, including Benjamin Samson Ashtamkar and Elijah Joseph Bhastekar, along with a group of friends formerly associated with an earlier synagogue, were responsible for establishing Tifereth Israel as a prayer hall in 1886. Mumbai's Bene Israel population grew during the mid - nineteenth century as the city prospered and expanded, and additional places of prayer and gathering to suit the needs of a varied and disperse community were needed. Initially the membership congregated in a rental space on the third floor of the Talegoakar Building in the Jacob's Circle area of Mumbai (and very near this synagogue). Today this area has been absorbed into a vast metropolis, but in the late 1890s it was much less developed and calmer. What was originally known as Jacob Circle Prayer Hall became the most popular and prosperous of Bene Israel places of Worship. In 1896 the prayer hall was renamed Tifereth Israel. By the early 1920s, three hundred Jewis families were living in and around the Jacob Circle. To accommodate this sizeable group, a fundraising effort was begun for the purchase of their own building for their religious and communal needs. On the 16th of March 1923, the acquisition of a bungalow named "Roshdel Villa" at 92, Keshavrao Khadye (formerly Clarke Road) near the post office took place. The wooden structure was brought from the Central Bank in a public auction in the amount of Rs 35.600. A member of the congregation Mr. Aaron Benjamin Kandlekar, had loaned a large sum towards this effort. On 22nd of March 1923, this property was legally transferred in his name. By the following year, the existing property was repurposed into a synagogue, and on 23rd of March 1924 it was consecrated a full synagogue (which generally refers to a larger facility offering more communal service and activities. In Kandlekar's honor for his generosity, the synagogue also became known as Kandlekaranchi Masjid or Kandlekar's Synagogue. Kandlekar remained very engaged in the activities of the synagogue until his death in 1941. In 1956, Kandlekar's widow, Mrs. Elisheba transfered the ownership of the synagogue building from the Kandlekar Family to the trustee of the Tifereth Israel after accepting a part of the original loan amount. At this time this plaque was installed, a third generation of the Kandlekar Family was actively involved in the operation of the synagogue. Throughout the 1930s, 40s and into the 50s, Tifereth Israel was a busy and vital centre of Jewish spiritual and social life in Mumbai. A priority established by the by the congregation during those years involved children's education, and in particular focusing on assisting poor Jewish pupils. Even though Tifereth Israel was never a wealthy synagogue, its members were devoted to a charitable giving. Tifereth Israel Synagogue has been significantly altered and in cases essentially rebuilt over the years, so what can be seen today is very different from the building's original early twentieth - century architecture. Of all the synagogues built over the years in Mumbai, this one has undergone the most transformations, including a major one in 2000. Under the leadership of architect, Mrs. Sinora Mayer Penkar, who rendered her services free of charge, a community hall of 2,400 square feet was constructed on the first floor of the synagogue building. The large space, with its support spaces (a kitchen, dressing room and a storage area), replaced a smaller one built of wood. At the same time, the prayer hall's hekhal was renovated. Funds of the project were provided by the Indian Jewish community and other Jews living abroad. The prayer hall interior, much changed over the years, is typical of most Bene Israel and other Indian synagogues with its centrally placed wooden central tebah (bimah/ raised reader's platform with a table where the torah is readand the service is conducted). The tebah is surrounded by wood and brass balustrade. Casement windows, freestanding long wooden benches, and hekal (ark) set within a shallow niche that is positioned nearest to Jerusalem as per synagogue convention also fit out the space. In the past, carved wooden screens supported by square wooden post divide the rectangular prayer area into larger central space and two smaller end sections. In more recent years, the sanctuary was changed to accommodate painted blue steel columns and beams to support and divide the space. The northern end of the room has always served as the sitting area for women as per Orthodox Jewish custom. Hanging brass and glass lanterns, ceiling fans, decorative metal window grilles, wall scones, Hebrew "Tree of Life" and other framed Jewish verses hung on the painted chunam (plaster of polished lime and sand) walls, a colourful fabric traditionally draping the tebah and hekal fill this space. The prayer hall space is paved with composition tiles. A special fixture seen in synagogues in the ner tamid, or light that always burns to indicate the presence of God. Fabricated from brass, it hangs in front of the hekhal. A second special fixture, one for the prophet Elijah, is nearby. Also in the sanctuary are special draped groups near the hekhal: one for the prophet Elijah and the other for brit mila, or circumcision ceremony. A kosher mikvah (ritual bath) for ladies was constructed on the northeast side of the synagogue property, and it was inaugurated on the 22nd of January 2006. It was realized under the supervision of Rabbi Gabriel Holtzberg of Chabad As a result of socail and political changes in India beginning in the 1950s, the country's Bene Israel and other Jewish population declined. Tifereth Israel nevertheless today serves a small active and friendly Bene Israel congregation made up of men. women and children of a variety of ages and backgrounds. They hold regular prayer services here as well variety of religious and social events. In recent years, the synagogue has undergone a sort of resurgence with an increased membership and activity. In the late 2013, new torah scrolls from Israel were donated by Mrs. Norin and Rabbi Romial Daniel of New York City. and its case was provided by Mr. Elirani Moshe Russo, Visitors from near and far are always welcome to attend and contribute to the service conducted by the members of the congregation The plaque was installed by FRIENDS OF INDIAN SYNAGOGUES January 2015 www.indianjews.org www.cochinsyn.com

The Table

Day 13 Dinner Mumbai, India Time: 19:00
Photo by Rangan Datta Wiki on Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Experience contemporary European cuisine in Colaba.

Summary

Enjoy contemporary European dishes at The Table in Colaba, Mumbai.

What You’ll Do

  • Savor modern European cuisine.
  • Explore the menu for seasonal specials.
  • Enjoy the ambiance of the Colaba neighborhood.

Tips

  • Reservations are highly recommended.
  • Dress code is smart casual.
  • Consider trying their tasting menu.

What To Book / Check

  • Restaurant reservation
  • Opening hours
  • Current menu and prices

Item Photo Queries

The Table Mumbai

Detail Photo Queries

The Table restaurant Mumbai European cuisine Mumbai Colaba dining