Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue Kala Ghodha

In a city that never shuts up in an area that is at the epicenter of commerical and legal activity there is an oasis of peace ironically surrounded by armoured cars and many policemen. If you want to get in you need to ask the police if you can enter then you need to go through one other security measures.

I was lucky enough after a few failed attempts to be allowed into the Synagogue in Kala Ghodha. The Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue is situated in a bylane behind Rythem House. Its facade is as beautiful as any other building credited to David Sasoon. It is unique in every way from the other equally magnificiant but grey stone buildings for it is painted a pastel baby blue with its facade highlighted in sharp white. If you want to go there land up in Kala Ghodha you just can't miss it.

Once inside you climb up stairs and are transported into another world of sheer tranquility. Its unread how at peace you feel even though through one of the windows you look into a fashion house and the other some manically chaotic business. I would have loved a tour or even just to meet the rabbi and have a chat learn something about the faith I know the least about and more about the synagogue. But that was not to be someone who worked there cleaning the place escorted me in and hung around to make sure I would not nick anything.

The first thing I noticed about the synagogue's interiors was that she was a grand old lady who although did not look her age had been through better times. The ceilings were high, the dome exquisite and beautifully maintained as were the alters and the stained glass. But the Torahs had seen better days and the comfortable sofas were naked of their tapestry or had been refurbished very cheaply as the fabric bore the stamps of the manufacturer of the undergarment of the sofa.

None of it mattered as I sat down in a corner with the protector of the synagogue eyeing me very suspiciously! When he realised I was in meditation and logically I suppose came to the conclusion with a 5 month old baby in a sling I would not be able to steal a sofa or anything large so he left me for what I presume was a few minutes. The peace that overcame me was wonderful and I really did enjoy a few moments of clarity and a bit of bliss.

Now although visiting most religious places are free and this is something you can do for free, one should compensate for the spiritual gains one has attained so on leaving I popped some money into the charity boxes. I am ashamed to say I had very little change on me which I am sure was not enough to compensate for the tranquility I gained from it so I will have to go back soon to pop in more money into those boxes which will be a pleasure.

If you work with or are in anyway a supporter of the synagogue or a member of its congregation it would be lovely if you could convince the rabbi allow tours which are educational on the synagogue its history, the history of the Bagdadi and the Maratha Jewish people and in general something about Judaism as well.