Documentary highlights last Jews of Calcutta
Girl interviewed in documentary on Calcutta’s Jews
Check out this five minute documentary about the Jews of Calcutta (Kolkata), India. Once a thriving community, most have moved to Israel and today, only 20 Jews remain in the city, out of a population of 15 million. Nevertheless, the city keeps its three synagogues open on Shabbat. The Jewish Girls School of Calcutta is also open, but its students are all Muslim today. Nevertheless, they wear the school’s coat of arms, which sports a Star of David, and they learn about Jewish holidays and tradition.
The documentary interviews students at the school, one of the last remaining Jewish residents and the Muslim caretaker of one of the synagogues. Most of Calcutta’s Jews came in the 18th century from the areas of present-day Iraq and Syria.
A fascinating glimpse into an almost forgotten community…and a testament to the power of tolerance and the ability of different peoples to get along.