Monday, October 21, 2013

Through a sandstorm to the Cochin Jewish Heritage Center

.

Two van-loads of Meitar folks drove through a desert sandstorm this morning to reach this place in the Negev.
What's under the big top?
A circus??


No!
Something better--a lunch prepared by the women of Nevatim!


Nice chicken, rice, salads.
Thankfully, not with TOO much Indian spices.
Tapioca pudding-type dessert with silvery pearl tapioca "beads." 

In the framework of the Agriculture and Tourism Ministries' 'Village 2000' program, Nevatim was recognized as a 'Tourism-oriented Village' with the aim of developing tourism as an alternative to the declining economy of family farms. - See more at: http://www.ica-is.org.il/en/projects/bnei-shimon-regional-council#sthash.Eka8Df1G.dpuf
These two women are part of the Cochin Jewish community who started to leave Kerala in the early 1950s and immigrate to the young state of Israel.

Lunch was served after we had a fascinating lecture and  video  about the Jews of India, a guided tour of the Cochin Jewish Heritage Center, and a visit to the moshav's beautiful synagogue built in the Kerala style.
I'll try to post those photos over the coming days (grandchildren permitting).
.
(Linking to Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors and to  Our World Tuesday.)
.
In the framework of the Agriculture and Tourism Ministries' 'Village 2000' program, Nevatim was recognized as a 'Tourism-oriented Village' with the aim of developing tourism as an alternative to the declining economy of family farms. - See more at: http://www.ica-is.org.il/en/projects/bnei-shimon-regional-council#sthash.Eka8Df1G.dpuf
In the framework of the Agriculture and Tourism Ministries' 'Village 2000' program, Nevatim was recognized as a 'Tourism-oriented Village' with the aim of developing tourism as an alternative to the declining economy of family farms. - See more at: http://www.ica-is.org.il/en/projects/bnei-shimon-regional-council#sthash.Eka8Df1G.dpuf
In the framework of the Agriculture and Tourism Ministries' 'Village 2000' program, Nevatim was recognized as a 'Tourism-oriented Village' with the aim of developing tourism as an alternative to the declining economy of family farms. - See more at: http://www.ica-is.org.il/en/projects/bnei-shimon-regional-council#sthash.Eka8Df1G.dpuf
In the framework of the Agriculture and Tourism Ministries' 'Village 2000' program, Nevatim was recognized as a 'Tourism-oriented Village' with the aim of developing tourism as an alternative to the declining economy of family farms. - See more at: http://www.ica-is.org.il/en/projects/bnei-shimon-regional-council#sthash.Eka8Df1G.dpuf
In the framework of the Agriculture and Tourism Ministries' 'Village 2000' program, Nevatim was recognized as a 'Tourism-oriented Village' with the aim of developing tourism as an alternative to the declining economy of family farms. - See more at: http://www.ica-is.org.il/en/projects/bnei-shimon-regional-council#sthash.Eka8Df1G.dpuf

14 comments:

  1. Can't think of a better way to spend the day.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh, toda raba for this, Dina. I think I know India really well, but I'd never even heard of Kerala Jews! Can't thing of any synagogue in Kochi, Cochin. I am truly fascinated, and this is definitely one more reason to come to this corner of the woods.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That lunch looks delicious Dina!
    The buildings looks beautiful like a big tent.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sounds fascinating Dina. Have fun with your grandkids:-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Joe and I visited the wonderful old synagogues and community facilities in India, but there are very few Jews left. What happened, we wondered, to all those thousands of people?

    Thank you for the answer :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. No better way to learn than over a plate of delicious food!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh what a fun thing to attend. It all looks delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yum :)

    I'd never thought of Jewish communities in India - so interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have read of the Cochin Jews, but din't think there were some just there in Meitar!

    ReplyDelete
  10. VP, I neglected to say how far we drove. Moshav Nevatim is a bit southwest of Beersheva.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow, those are cool looking rooftops on that - is it a building, or a tent? Glad you enjoyed the trip :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Friends, yes, it is a tent. I used "big top" because that's what we called a circus tent (at least in America).
    I think such structures can also be called a marquee.
    In the strong winds of the sandstorm the sides were making a terrible racket.

    ReplyDelete
  13. They've used shelters like that here as well, and I know on a windy day they can be quite noisy outside...

    Terrific shots. Israel is a part of the world that I haven't been to, but I'd love to see it.

    ReplyDelete
  14. A good trip packed with good food! :)

    ReplyDelete


Thanks for your comment!
Comment moderation is on so I will see any new comments even on older posts!