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MAGEN DAVID (Shield of David) SYNGOGUE 

magen david.PNG

The “Magen David” Synagogue, was erected through the initiative of David Sassoon who settled in Bombay in 1832. On Sunday, 6th December 1857, David Sassoon laid the cornerstone of the Synagogue in Byculla which was completed in 1861, being the first Baghdadi Synagogue in Bombay.

In 1910, the building was expanded to its present dimension by David's son, Jacob Sassoon. The exterior of the building was designed in a symmetrical eclected manner, with a strong Renaissance influence, inspired by the Classic Greek style at its façade. Towering above the architrave stands the four storey Clock Tower.

The interior of the “Magen David” Synagogue, incorporating the main prayer hall and the women’s gallery, follow a southeast-northwest axis towards the direction of Jerusalem. Along this axis and at the centre hall, stands the Tevah (known as the Bima), and at its north-western end is the Hechal (the Holy Ark), two dominant elements in a Synagogue. As customary in Sephardic Synagogues, the men's benches face the Tevah on three sides. In a similar manner, the women’s section located on the second floor is also comprised of three galleries supported upon high columns, facing the hall's central space as well. In recent years the Synagogue’s grounds are rented out for functions such as wedding ceremonies and other happy events.

The Synagogue has two Jewish schools associated with it, sponsored by the Jacob Sassoon Trust. Originally, the schools exclusively catered Jewish children. Over time, with the migration of Baghdadi Jewish community to other countries, the schools have been opened to all communities located in the Byculla area.

Address 

Opening

Hours 

Friday: 09:00 - 12:00

Saturday: Closed 

Sunday:  09:00 - 18:00

Monday: 09:00 - 18:00

Tuesday: 09:00 - 18:00

Wednesday: 09:00 - 18:00

Thursday: 09:00 - 18:00

Police Colony, Nagpada, Byculla,

Mumbai, Maharashtra

400008

Contact

* For security reasons, Please coordinate your visit in advance.

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