https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Magen_Abraham_SynagogueMagen Abraham Synagogue - Revision history2026-07-31T13:18:29ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Magen_Abraham_Synagogue&diff=231145&oldid=prev->Tom.Reding at 11:53, 27 May 20212021-05-27T11:53:56Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{About|the synagogue in Ahmedabad, India|the synagogue in Beirut, Lebanon|Maghen Abraham Synagogue|other uses|Magen Abraham (disambiguation)}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}<br />
{{more citations needed|date=January 2016}}<br />
{{Infobox religious building<br />
| building_name = Magen Abraham Synagogue<br>בית הכנסת מגן אברהם<br />
| infobox_width =<br />
| image = Ahmedabad Synagogue.jpg<br />
| image_size =<br />
| caption = Exterior of Synagogue<br />
| map_type = India Ahmedabad#India Gujarat<br />
| map_size =<br />
| map_caption =<br />
| location = [[Ahmedabad]]<br />
| geo = {{coord|23.0220282|72.583874|display=inline,title}}<br />
| religious_affiliation = [[Orthodox Judaism]]<br />
| rite = [[Sephardic Judaism|Sephardic]]<br />
| province = [[Gujarat]]<br />
| district = [[Ahmedabad district]]<br />
| consecration_year = 2 September 1934<br />
| status =<br />
| functional_status = Active<br />
| heritage_designation =Yes<br />
| leadership =<br />
| website = [http://www.magenabraham.20m.com MagenAbraham.20m.com]<br />
| architecture =<br />
| architect =<br />
| architecture_type =<br />
| architecture_style =<br />
| facade_direction =<br />
| groundbreaking =<br />
| year_completed =<br />
| construction_cost =<br />
| specifications =<br />
| capacity =<br />
| length =<br />
| width =<br />
| width_nave =<br />
| height_max =<br />
| dome_quantity =<br />
| dome_height_outer =<br />
| dome_height_inner =<br />
| dome_dia_outer =<br />
| dome_dia_inner =<br />
| minaret_quantity =<br />
| minaret_height =<br />
| spire_quantity =<br />
| spire_height =<br />
| materials =<br />
| nrhp =<br />
| added =<br />
| refnum =<br />
| designated =<br />
}}<br />
'''Magen Abraham Synagogue''' is the only Jewish [[synagogue]] of [[Gujarat]] state situated in [[Ahmedabad|Ahmedabad, India]].<ref name="John 2015">{{cite web | last=John | first=Paul | title=Only synagogue in state enshrined in heritage list | website=The Times of India | date=13 April 2015 | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Only-synagogue-in-state-enshrined-in-heritage-list/articleshow/46902010.cms | access-date=1 January 2016}}</ref> It was built in 1934 using donations from members of the [[Bene Israel]] Jewish community of the state.<br />
<br />
==History and location==<br />
The corner stone of the synagogue was laid on 19 October 1933 by Abigailbai Benjamin Issac Bhonker. The synagogue was consecrated on 2 September 1934.<ref name="John 2015"/> The synagogue stands across the street from a [[Parsi]] Fire Temple at Bukhara Mohulla in Khamasa in the [[old Ahmedabad]]. It is included in the heritage list of the city.<ref name="John 2015"/><br />
<br />
==Architecture==<br />
[[File:Synagogue Madhupura Ahmedabad India.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Magen Abraham Synagogue]]<br />
The synagogue is built in the Art deco style with marble chequered floors and a large ark. It is built in an Indo-Judaica architectural form. The furniture consists of movable pews arranged around a central Bimah. The Ark contains multiple Torahs of many sizes and in hard cases. The women's balcony is unusual (as compared to other synagogues in India) in that it is not supported by pillars. The synagogue has Grecian pillars with triangular roof and high ceiling. There are several religious artifacts including artistic grills, stained glass windows and chandeliers.<ref name="John 2015"/><br />
<br />
==Community==<br />
The Jewish community in [[Ahmedabad]] has shrunk considerably in the past few decades with many families emigrating to [[Israel]], the [[United States]] and [[Europe]]. There were 139 members in 2015.<ref name="John 2015"/> Members of the community have been prominent in the educational field in [[Ahmedabad]]. Notable institutions include the Nelson's group of schools, the Best School and many others.<br />
<br />
==Culture==<br />
The synagogue has a small but still active community. The communal celebration of Pesah ([[Passover]]) still takes place and [[High Holy Days]] are observed annually.<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
{{Commons category}}<br />
* [http://www.magenabraham.20m.com Official site]<br />
<br />
{{Authority control}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Bene Israel]]<br />
[[Category:Synagogues in India]]<br />
[[Category:Art Deco synagogues]]<br />
[[Category:Orthodox Judaism in India]]<br />
[[Category:Orthodox synagogues]]<br />
[[Category:Religious buildings and structures in Ahmedabad]]<br />
[[Category:Sephardi Jewish culture in India]]<br />
[[Category:Sephardi synagogues]]</div>->Tom.Reding