The road to nowhere for Kochi Jews

KOCHI: The Jews of Kochi are a worried lot. Their worry springs from the fear that the tradition-bound group may be swept away by the tides of modernity sweeping across the city. They have a one-acre cemetery on the Kathrakadavu-Pullepady road. “However, the Kochi Corporation has plans to broaden the road,” says Josephhai Sam Abraham,  president of the Association of Kerala Jews. According to Jewish religious law, once a person is buried, the grave cannot be disturbed ever again. So the Jews are anxious  whether the authorities will insist that they give up their cemetery. “Many tombs will be disturbed,” says Josephhai. “We are going to appeal to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to intervene in the matter.” The community is also taking the help of the Israeli consulate in Mumbai and the embassy in Delhi.Saumini Jain,  chairperson of the Works Standing Committee of Kochi Corporation, says, “We respect the religious feelings of the Jewish community, but we also have to consider the needs of the wider public. The enlargement of the road is vital for a smooth traffic flow, and it will benefit the entire city of Kochi.” The Jews  have a cemetery in Mattancherry, but that is almost  filled up. There is a misconception that  the  community’s strength is down to nine and hence the cemetery in Ernakulam can be spared for the road-widening.  “This is not true,” says a member, Babu Elias. “In fact, the nine people are the Mattancherry Jews. And they are all indeed in their seventies and eighties.” But there is also a small, thriving Jewish community of about 40 people who stay in Kochi, Aluva, and North Paravur.“There are young couples who have small children,” says Babu. Most of the youngsters are computer engineers, doctors, marketing and IT professionals.