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The Jews of Pakistan and
Their Forgotten Story
Thursday, February 5
USA 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET
UK 08:00 pm / France 9:00 pm / Israel 10:00 pm
The talk will last approximately 90 minutes
About this talk
The Jews of Pakistan were primarily members of the Bene Israel community. Until 1947, the entire region that is now Pakistan was part of the British Raj in greater India. Jewish families began settling in what is today Pakistan—mainly in Karachi, but also in cities such as Peshawar, Multan, and elsewhere. Some sources trace their presence to around 1818.
In 1893, the community built a large synagogue in Karachi, larger than anything that exists in modern-day Pakistan. Jews lived peacefully alongside neighbors of all faiths and played an important role in society. However, after the Partition of India and the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the community largely fled. Out of nearly 3,000 Jews, only a small number remained, and those who stayed mostly lived underground. The grand synagogue was eventually demolished, community records and books were dispersed, and descendants migrated primarily to India and later mostly to Israel. Today, only forgotten graves hint at the once-thriving Jewish presence.
This presentation explores the history and culture of the Jews of Pakistan and examines what remains of their legacy both within Pakistan and beyond.
About Eliaz
Eliaz Reuben-Dandeker is a fourth-generation Israeli and a descendant of the Kammodan Mocadem Divekars, leaders of the Bene Israel community of India since the eighteenth century. He also traces his ancestry to the Bene Israel community of Pakistan.
An author, archivist, documentary filmmaker, lecturer, artist, and publisher, Eliaz is the founder and owner of Kammodan Mocadem Publishing House. He has published seven books and contributed to several others. He was also a co-founder of the Next Generation Group of Jewish-Indian activists in Israel, as well as Masale,
Eliaz has lectured and given interviews internationally on topics including the Jewish communities of India and Pakistan and post-traumatic stress related to combat experience.
RECORDING INFORMATION
This talk will be recorded and shared with registrants the day after.
It will be available for 3 days, and 7 days for members.
Click here to register
You will be asked to select one of these options:
General admission - $18
Supported admission - $9
Sponsor this talk - $36
With your contribution, you will also be donating to the Kammodan Mocadem Publishing House, established in 2017 with the objective to give an open platform for artists, authors and poets of Jewish Indian origin.
