The Jewish population in the city is dwindling as a majority of them are lured by the spiritual solace in Israel, says Jawed Khurshid

Since eons Jews enjoy fraternal relation with Marathi Manoos. Despite a brief irritant when one idiosyncratic entrepreneur of the city tinkered with the sentiment of minuscule Jewish diaspora by naming his restaurant “Swastika” – an infamous emblem of Nazi Germany, their love for the city is far from getting sour.

The city has few synagogues with historical root. Earlier their used to be plenty, but the formation of Israel saw the gradual flight of the followers of lord Mosses.

In 1948 there used to be a significant number of Jews in the city. 30,000 odd Jews used to flock various synagogues dotting Mumbai. Post Second World War, the geo-political climate witnessed radical change and Israel – the newest entrant into the comity of nations, emerge as sovereign democratic republic. Their number dwindled to 4,500 in 2010.

Jews used to be highly enterprising community, developed numerous institutions that spurred trade, commerce and education. David Sassoon Library, in the cool ambience of Mumbai’s art district – Kala Ghoda, is a landmark in its own right where one finds book worms buzzing around.

The western education compounded with high surviving instinct has led to scintillating success of this community. Art, architecture, fashion, entrepreneurial excellence and educational supremacy has put this community at the forefront of human civilization.

The island city boasts of a few, albeit, highly talented people from this community.

Even one of its members, Johny Joseph, even donned the mantle of the Chief of Army staff, heading one of the most formidable defense forces in the world.

‘Their love for Bollywood too seems to be fading away as there was no new entrant into this esteemed ‘entertainment club’, says Kanwaljeet, an ace fashion designer of the city.

Who could forget the seductress of 60s and 70s, Helen – once used to put silver screen on fire by her “Mera naam chin chin choo….” (Howrah Bridge). Nightclub dances in the 1950s and cabaret numbers in the 1960 and the 1970s established Helen as a skilled Western dancer,’ with a pinch of salt the designer quips.

Tinsel Town was the greatest beneficiary of the Jewish community by dint of westernized upbringing and liberal outlook when it came to acting.

The Baghdadi Jews were very fair and beautiful who arrived from Syria, Iran and Iraq around 1796, were the ideal choice for the silver screen.

Patience Cooper (1905 – 1983) played the first double role in Indian cinema in “Patni Pratap” (1923).

David Abraham Cheulkar (1908 – 1982), better known as David is remembered for his song “Nanhe Munne Bachche…”