The Synagogue at Chennamangalam is a 17th century structure situated in a serene wooded area in Chennamangalam near
Ernakulam. It was the place of worship for the Jewish community of the area, but fell into disuse when the entire community emigrated to Israel around 1955.
Due to lack of maintenance, the Chennamangalam Synagogue is fast falling into ruin. The exterior is covered with weeds and calls for much repair and restoration. Its interiors are also in a bad shape. The Bimah is lost while the Ark, with its traditional Malabari carved entablature, sports broken parts and requires extensive patch up. The ceiling bears carved wooden rosettes in rows running the whole length of the structure. The door has a wooden decoration of a menorah and olive trees, mounted on it. The circumcision chair and benches are covered with dust and are not in a useable state. There is a tomb of a lady, bearing the date 1264, in the courtyard.
Closest airport to the Chennamangalam Synagogue is the Cochin International Airport just 20 km away. Ernakulam, 42 km from here, is a major rail junction.
