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After centuries in India, the last Cochin Jews try to keep their history alive
Summary by The San Antonio Editorial Desk Deepa Bharath, Associated Press , as published by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· August 7, 2026
· 1 min read
Photo: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) · view original
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The San Antonio Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Byline on source page Deepa Bharath, Associated Press, as published by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) Original story Read at the source Source published Aug 7, 2026 Indexed here Aug 7, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway A solitary figure, Keith Hallegua, walks to the 458-year-old Paradesi Synagogue in Kochi's historic Jew Town neighborhood to pray alone.
In India, efforts are being made to preserve the history of the Cochin Jews. A solitary figure, Keith Hallegua, walks to the 458-year-old Paradesi Synagogue in Kochi's historic Jew Town neighborhood to pray alone. He is the last local congregant of the synagogue.
Elias "Babu" Josephai, associated with the Kadavumbagam Synagogue, recalls traditional foods made by his grandmother for the Jewish holiday Shavuot. His memories are bittersweet, reflecting on what has been lost. Further details about the Cochin Jews and their struggles to keep their history alive are available from KSAT 12's source.
The story provides a glimpse into the lives of the last remaining members of this community in India.
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About this story
As published by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local Published: August 7, 2026 Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) Reading time: 1 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? In India, efforts are being made to preserve the history of the Cochin Jews. A solitary figure, Keith Hallegua, walks to the 458-year-old Paradesi Synagogue in Kochi's historic Jew Town neighborhood…
When was this published? This article was first published on August 7, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Deepa Bharath, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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