The Synagogues of India: Their Architecture, History, Context and Meaning

Architect and historian Prof. Jay A. Waronker

Siam Society.  Bangkok, Thailand.  November 20, 2013.  In 1950, a highpoint, there were 35,000 Jews in India; there are now 4,000.  American architect and historian, Jay a. Waronker, has made a study of the remaining synagogues of India, about 35 of them, most of which are abandoned and in various states of disrepair.  Prof. Waronker said that there was no one architectural style used for the synagogues of India and his many photographs showed styles as varied as gothic and art deco.  Dr. Waronker is engaged in trying to restore and preserve some of the remaining structures, but many of them appeared to be beyond salvage.  A very interesting and informative evening.