Chennai Jews: Difference between revisions
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'''Chennai Jews''', also called '''Madras Jews,''' are of [[Sephardi]] heritage. They are the oldest group of [[Indian Jews|Jews in India]], |
'''Chennai Jews''', also called '''Madras Jews,''' are of [[Sephardi]] heritage. They are the oldest group of [[Indian Jews|Jews in India]], |
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Following expulsion from [[Iberia]] in 1492 by the [[Alhambra Decree]], a few families of [[Sephardic Jews]] eventually made their way to Madras in the 16th century. They became known as [[Paradesi Jews]] (or Foreign Jews). The European Jews maintained some 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 Judeo-Malayalam from the Malabar Jews.<ref name=Katz-Koder-Puthiakunnel>Katz 2000; Koder 1973; Thomas Puthiakunnel 1973.</ref> The two communities retained their ethnic and cultural distinctions.<ref name=":0">Weil, Shalva. "The Place of Alwaye in Modern Cochin Jewish History," ''Journal of Modern Jewish Studies,'' 2010. 8(3): 319-335.</ref> In the late 19th century, a few Arabic-speaking Jews, who became known as [[Baghdadi Jews|Baghdadi]], also immigrated to southern India, and joined the Paradesi community. |
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Revision as of 07:28, 16 May 2016
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
 Israel | 40-60 (estimated)[1] |
 India | 2+[2] |
| Languages | |
| Traditionally, Judeo-Malayalam, now mostly Hebrew in Israel | |
| Religion | |
| Judaism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Paradesi Jews Sephardic Jews in India | |
Chennai Jews, also called Madras Jews, are of Sephardi heritage. They are the oldest group of Jews in India,
Following expulsion from Iberia in 1492 by the Alhambra Decree, a few families of Sephardic Jews eventually made their way to Madras in the 16th century. They became known as Paradesi Jews (or Foreign Jews). The European Jews maintained some 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 Judeo-Malayalam from the Malabar Jews.[3] The two communities retained their ethnic and cultural distinctions.[4] In the late 19th century, a few Arabic-speaking Jews, who became known as Baghdadi, also immigrated to southern India, and joined the Paradesi community.
- ^ Jews From Cochin Bring Their Unique Indian Cuisine to Israeli Diners Tablet Magazine, By Dana Kessler|23 October 2013
- ^ Census of India 2001
- ^ Katz 2000; Koder 1973; Thomas Puthiakunnel 1973.
- ^ Weil, Shalva. "The Place of Alwaye in Modern Cochin Jewish History," Journal of Modern Jewish Studies, 2010. 8(3): 319-335.