We reached Nevatim agricultural settlement at noon. After passing a big, brown sign with the name 'moshav Nevatim' in hebrew (see the header), and a traditional well in memory of the founders, we were led by Mira, the local guide, to the building which houses a compact museum with some very interesting exhibits.
traditional well in memory of the founders
entrance to building housing the museum
After a few introductory words, Mira, the guide, wanted us to watch a 16-minute documentary on the history and customs of her community and its immigration to Israel. Very captivating film as it included interviews with people who were among the first settlers of Nevatim, in 1954.
Mira - her back to screen, face to visitors
The walls at the entrance and in the movie room were covered with black&white pictures depicting snippets from the community's life in India. (It is important to mention that they've had good relations with their non-jewish neighbors there ; no hostility/persecution experience whatsoever).
Merchants in Cochin, they became farmers in Nevatim - not an easy transition, that from trade to agriculture. Apparently, the shy and modest indian community underwent this transition quite well. They also got this small tourist attraction enterprise - the Heritage Center which includes the museum and the synagogue.
listening to lecture; pictures with life snippets on the walls
more Cochin life snippets on the wall
Merchants in Cochin, they became farmers in Nevatim - not an easy transition, that from trade to agriculture. Apparently, the shy and modest indian community underwent this transition quite well. They also got this small tourist attraction enterprise - the Heritage Center which includes the museum and the synagogue.
Next - open rooms with a rich variety of encased exhibits from daily life in Cochin: clothing (daily and holiday), jewelery items, household ware, religious and cultural artifacts (light holders, holiday lamps, Torah case) etc.
wedding clothes
bracelets
wedding rings
Torah case
overview - room with lightholders and the Torah case
household ware
chandeliers
standing light holder
Hannukah lamp
Very nice!
ReplyDeleteThanks. We were a bit tired coming from the camel farm, and this visit was relaxing and colorful.
DeleteThats an amazing tour.Superb collection of vessels,lamps,chandeliers,jewellery & dresses. So well and comprehensively they have adapted to their new country to which they emigrated more than half a century ago.
ReplyDeleteI was born in the erstwhile State of Travancore-Cochin which was an independent princely state ruled by a Maharajah (King).
Travancore-Cochin was a short-lived state of India (1949–1956). It was originally called United State of Travancore and Cochin and was created on 1 July 1949 by the merger of two former Princely States, the kingdoms of Travancore and Cochin with Trivandrum as the capital. It was renamed State of Travancore-Cochin in January 1950. It joined and merged with the Indian Union in 1956 and the state was renamed as Kerala.
Superb, indeed!
DeleteThank you for the first-hand historical information on the state of Cochin. The Kerala region where Cochin is located , is an important and well-known part of India.
Amazing place. Showing up my ignorance! Enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeleteGlad you've enjoyed the post. This museum is quite modest compared to the synagogue, a few steps further, whose interior beauty is stunning.
DeleteVery interesting, Duta! It's all new to me and I enjoyed reading it. It seems it would be difficult to go from trade to agriculture, a lot to learn. Very colorful clothing and great jewelry and wares. Looking forward to Part 2!
ReplyDeleteWith all the difficulties,they've adjusted to agriculture just fine.
DeleteThe exhibits were partly donated by private families,partly brought from/ acquired in Cochin.
i love seeing the clothes and housewares - that is so great.
ReplyDeletethank you so much for your kind message about opening the store. and you're right, it will come together!!
Well, of course you love. You're in the fashion, interior design line of work. LOL.
Deletetrue ;)
DeleteWhat a nice interesting museum! Love the displays of life they had. Beautiful building also.
ReplyDeleteLooking again at the pictures of the building, I notice that it's not a plain building but with some indian element in its structure. Very appealing!
DeleteOlá, que lugar lindissimo de cultura diferente. é sempre bom visitar o que partilha, as fotos são lindas.
ReplyDeleteContinuação de boa semana,
AG
Thanks for stopping by. Glad you like the display of the different culture and the photos. A good week to you too!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful museum both in structure and content. I always love seeing displays of items that make up everyday life.
ReplyDeleteMe too. I'm both curious and drawn to eveyday life items, regardless of the culture they belong to.
DeleteWhat an interesting transition these people made. I really enjoyed the museum photos.
ReplyDeleteNot an easy transition from shopkeepers to farmers; but they've done it, and live quite prosperously in Nevatim and some other moshavim in Israel.
DeleteGlad, Janie, you've enjoyed the photos.
I enjoyed your post too and learned something new, special to learn about a Jewish Indian community in Israel, so touching to see glimpses into the community and the photos. I was moved by seeing the Torah case and the menorah. Thank you for sharing with us!
DeleteWell, it's a community worth learning about: quiet, modest, hard working, tradition observers. It deserves a lot of appreciation and respect. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoying the post.
ReplyDeleteA very interesting post and, indeed, blog. From what I have seen you tend to do much wandering.
ReplyDeleteWelcome! Thanks for your kind words.
DeleteYou know what they say, to move is to live. As long as you can wander about, that's good for your life.
I bet that documentary explained a lot. The transition couldn't have been easy; thankfully they didn't have to learn a new trade in a new country. The wall photos would fascinate me. Would love to know how they assimilate in the culture or do they keep to themselves? You did a great job with this post.
ReplyDeleteBlack and white photos like those on the wall, always fascinate us. Audio-visual aids (the movie) are of great help in trying to convey and elucidate things to an audience.
DeleteAssimilation is hard to assess; let's just say the Cochin jews in Israel play an important part in Israel's cultural and social texture.
Beautiful photos. I wish we could all get along.
ReplyDeleteThe wedding clothes, bracelets, and wedding rings are interesting to see. And I've never seen a light holder quite like that before.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the week, Duta.
~Sheri