Sha’arei Ratson Synagogue, Bombay, India (exterior)

The origin of the Bene Israel Jews is lost in the depths of time. Some say they are descended from the lost tribes of Israel and others that they are descended from Jewish traders. Whatever their origin, they have been in this area for a very long time and have always retained elements of Jewish tradition such as shabbat observance.
The modest Bene Israel synagogues in the region of Bombay date back to the mid- nineteenth century, when the communities moved from rural villages to metropolitan areas. Their synagogues have both color and charm. When I first saw them, they seemed less than impressive, but upon returning to Israel, I knew I had a treasure, for the synagogues share a straightforward unpretentiousness with the people who pray in them.
Photographing in the streets of Bombay can be challenging, people flow through them like raindrops in a river. I posted some helpers in the street to help direct the traffic in order to keep a clear view of the entrance to the walled compound that houses the synagogue, Inside, all was peace and quiet: the synagogue is an island in a turbulent sea.