Growing up Jewish in India: Synagogues, Customs, and Communities from the Bene Israel to the Art of Siona Benjamin

Growing Up Jewish in India an historical account of the primary Jewish communities of India, their synagogues, and unique Indian Jewish customs. It traces how Jews arrived in the vast subcontinent at different times from different places, both inhabiting diverse locations within the larger Indian community, and ultimately creating a diaspora within the larger Jewish diaspora by relocating to other countries, particularly Israel and the United States. The text and over 150 images explore how Indian Jews retained their unique characteristics as Jews, became well integrated into the larger society of India as Indians, and offer a synthesis of cultural qualities wherever they reside. Among the outcomes of these developments is the uniquely transcultural art of Siona Benjamin, who grew up in the Bene Israel community of Mumbai, then moved to the US, producing work that reflects a broad range of Indian, Jewish, and other influences. This volume combines discussions of the Indian Jewish communities with Benjamin’s story and an analysis of her art, and introduces these narratives within the larger story of Jews across eastern Asia, thus offering a portrait of a unique slice of the Indian world for readers interested in history, art, religion, and culture, worldwide.