Mumbai News: Heritage Concerns Raised Over Work At 170-Year-Old Magen David Synagogue In Byculla

Mumbai: Photographs on social media of demolished beams inside the heritage-listed 170-year-old Magen David synagogue in Byculla has shocked members of the Jewish community and sparked allegations of its demolition. The photos were posted by celebrity chef Moshe Shek, a Baghdadi Jew who grew up in Byculla and whose family worshipped at the synagogue.

The synagogue trust said they are repairing the synagogue. However there are allegations that the work is being done without sanctions from the heritage conservation committee.  

Shek filed an Non-Cognisable complaint that he was assaulted by members of the synagogue when he visited the synagogue on May 18. Shek said that Baghdadi Jewish diaspora is worried about the work at synagogue. "Most of the Baghdadi Jew community live abroad in the United Kingdom, Australia, and elsewhere. A few days ago, I received photographs from one person who said I should go and have a look. I have lived in the street next to the synagogue when I was a child. I was shocked at what I saw. Columns had been brought down. When I was recording the scenes, the staff came assaulted me," said Shek.

On May 19, Shek tried to meet the municipal commissioner who is on leave. Shek said he spoke to the conservation architect who was in charge of a restoration plan that has been delayed. "I do not think they have the permission to do this work. I have been part of the restoration of the Knesset Eliyahu synagogue in Fort and know how heritage structures are restored. Shek has written a complaint to the municipal commissioner and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region – Heritage Conservation Society

Solomon Sopher, chairman of Sir Jacob Sassoon Charity Trust, which manages the Byculla synagogue, said the allegations were 'false and malicious'. Sopher said the building has developed structural faults and had approached restoration architect Abha Narain Lambha who restored Knesset Eliyahu Synagogue in 2019. A restoration proposal was prepared but the estimated cost of the work is Rs 9.7 crores which the trust could not afford. Their efforts to raise funds was delayed by the Covid pandemic and the absence of FCRA (permission for foreign remittances). 

"So, the trust decided to do basic strengthening of the beams and columns and prevent seepage caused by the impending  monsoons. This work was supervised by a recognised architect, a structural Engineer and a building contractor. During the course of the work, a loose beam fell  along with debris from one balcony," said Sopher.

Sopher called Shek's post 'misleading'. "Our intentions are very clear. We will restore the synagogue to its former glory and resume full services once this is done," said Sopher who alleged that Shek had attacked staff who attempted to prevent him from entering the synagogue as it is under repairs," Sopher said, adding that weekday and Shabbath services are being continued at Knesset Eliyahu until Magen David is repaired.

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