Help from abroad reaches age-old Jewish church

KOCHI: Friends of Kerala Synagogues, an international organisation, has come forward to extend technical help in the renovation works of the age-old Church of Black Jewish community in Mattancheri. ‘Friends of Kerala Synagogues’ is a US-based organisation that does research on Kerala’s Jewish churches.

Ithaca university professor and world famous Jewish vasthu expert Jay A. Waronker is the founder of the organisation. He also oversaw the construction of Jewish churches in North Parvoor and Chenthamangalam

The current owner of Kadavum bhagam Jewish church is from Fort Kochi.

State archaeological department director Dr G Prem Kumar said he would make an official visit to the place as a first towards its conservation. A report had been submitted to the Kerala government to take steps to conserve Jewish monuments. “What has come in the way of conservation is that most of the lands where these monuments lie belong to private parties,” he added.