Grand 150th Years Celebrations of the Ohel David Synagogue

Grand 150 years celebrations of the Ohel David Synagogue, Pune.

 The largest synagogue in Asia, David Sassoon had laid the foundation of the building in 1863 and it took four years for its completion.

Ohel David Synagogue Post card

Souvenir


Media Coverage

Guv for Jewish contribution in textbooks
Celebrates `Lal Deval' 150 Years

    Governor C Vidyasagar Rao on Sunday suggested that a chapter be dedicated to the Jewish community’s involvement in nation-building in the school curriculum.
“A majority of the people in India do not know about the Jewish community’s contribution. I think there should be a separate chapter about the Jews in India and their contribution to nation building in the textbooks at the higher secondary level,” Rao said.

He was speaking at the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Ohel David Synagogue — a landmark of the city colloquially known as ‘Lal Deval’ (Red Temple).
Widely believed to be the largest synagogue in Asia, David Sassoon had laid the foundation of the building in 1863 and it took four years for its completion.
“After he died, his sons finished the remaining work. He was buried within the compound,” said Rabbi Yaaqob Menashe, a descendant of Sassoon. The synagogue in all its splendour greeted devotees from the city as well as Mumbai, who had travelled to the city for the occasion.
“There are so few members of the Jewish community staying in Pune now. Usually on Sabbath, there are not more than 10 or 15 families at the synagogue. But it is nice to see so many people turning up for the occasion today,” said Hayim Solomon Pezakar, who refuses to go to Israel where his son stays. Indeed, the synagogue was packed to capacity with not a single empty chair either on the ground floor or the balcony above.
“I am sure people in Israel will be very proud to see this renovated synagogue as a part of their heritage and tradition,” said David Akov, consul general of Israel in Mumbai, who was in the city for the first time.
The 150-year-old synagogue represents the deep roots that the Jews have in India, he said, adding that it also stood for a continuity with tradition.
Menashe, who described the occasion as an “emotional moment,” said everything that the Sassoons have done, including building institutions such as Sassoon hospital, libraries, colleges and public monuments, was meant for India and its people.
Traditional Hebrew prayers were read and the menorah — the seven lampstand ubiquitous in Jewish custom — was lit.

To read more: http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31814&articlexml=Guv-for-Jewish-contribution-in-textbooks-03112014004034






150 years of Ohel David

The Jewish community from the city and Mumbai congregated at the historic Ohel David Synagogue, Camp to celebrate its 150th anniversary amid tight security on Sunday. Maharashtra governor C Vidyasagar Rao was invited as the chief guest to preside over the evening's proceedings that started at

 5.30 pm. Dr Cyrus Poonawalla and SB Mujumdar were amongst the guests, who were seen at the function. Apart from offering prayers, the attendees also made a beeline to light candles around David Sassoon's tomb located on the premises. He was the man who built the synagogue in 1863-67. Rabbi Menash Yakof from Brooklyn in the US, said to be the direct descendant of Sassoon, was also present at the anniversary celebration

To read more
http://www.punemirror.in/pune/civic/150-years-of-Ohel-David/articleshow/45015330.cms


Photos From The Event













 Dr.Cyrus Poonawalla






Mr.Rabbi Yaaqob Menashe, who described the occasion as an “emotional moment,” said everything that the Sassoons have done, including building institutions such as Sassoon hospital, libraries, colleges and public monuments, was meant for India and its people.
“A majority of the people in India do not know about the Jewish community’s contribution. I think there should be a separate chapter about the Jews in India and their contribution to nation building in the textbooks at the higher secondary level,” said the Governor of Maharaashtra C Vidyasagar Rao

 Mr Solomon F Sopher, President and the member of 150th anniversary celebration committee.
Hon Council General  of Israel in Mumbai, Mr. David  Akov who was in the city for the first time.


 Felicitating Mr..Judah Samuel  member of 150th anniversary celebration committee.



 
Felicitating Ms. Eddna Samuel  member of 150th anniversary celebration committee.
Congratulation for a great success! What an amazing evening it was .It was a watermark moment, one that would not have happened with out you .(Mr Solomon Sopher President of 150th anniversary celebration committee.)
Thank you again for going the many extra miles for our community and our people Congratulation God Bless !!



  Felicitating Mr.Sam Marshall.











































Farewell to H.E. The Consul General of Israel Mr. Jonathan Miller & Mrs. Miller, was held on  Thursday, 5th June, 2014 at the Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue.












"El Al Ambassador" Program India 2014

Thank you to the CEO of EL AL, Major General Eliezer Shkedy (former Commander in Chief of the Israeli Air Force) whose leadership and vision steered this project and to the amazing lovely and engaging staff and cast.


Thanks to Mr Matan Zamir Deputy Chief of Mission at Consulate General of Israel  for all the support extended . 
Ambassadors of EL AL Israel Airlines Ltd  Ariel, Nadav, Ortal and  Ruth.

 

Another big thanks to Sir Soloman Sopher  for getting us this beautiful venue.

Thank Elijah Jacob Director JDC and Salome Abraham Program Coordinator at (The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) Kimberly Ariella With Eliana Phansapurkar, Natasha Daniel Joseph,and Nikita Worlikar. Sammy Benjamin  who volunteered their time.


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 An El Al Ambassador Program 

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StandWithUs is the leading partner with EL AL, the national carrier of Israel, on its EL AL Ambassadors Program, together with Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and The Jewish Agency for Israel. This unique program trains top EL AL flight crew in preparation for public diplomacy missions around the world.
StandWithUs staff is leading the training program at the EL AL headquarters in Ben-Gurion International Airport every year since the initiation of the project in 2011.
CEO of EL AL, Major General Eliezer Shkedy (former Commander in Chief of the Israeli Air Force) recognized the major need to educate his staff on public speaking on Israel and message crafting. In order to improve their skills for the unique project which he initiated, Major General Shkedy understood that StandWithUs would play a crucial role. The project selects aircrew members of EL AL to take part in speaking engagements in communities. All participants receive the flagship StandWithUs educational resource “Israel 101″, the “Israel Pocket Facts” booklet and a flash drive with other educational resources.
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for Mumbai : http://elal-ambassadors.blogspot.in/2014/01/come-to-el-al-ambassador-program-near.html
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