ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

History of the Jews in Kolkata

Okay kiddo, so let's start with talking about who the Jews are. The Jews are a group of people who believe in a religion called Judaism and have a shared history and cultural traditions.

Now, let's talk about Kolkata. Kolkata is a city in India, and it used to be known as Calcutta.

Jewish people have been living in Kolkata for a very long time, since the late 1700s. Many of them came from other parts of the world like Iraq, Iran, and Europe.

In Kolkata, the Jewish people built synagogues, which are places of worship. One famous synagogue is called the Magen David Synagogue, which was built in the late 1800s.

The Jewish community in Kolkata was very active and they played an important role in the city's economy. They were traders, bankers, and merchants. Many of them were also involved in charitable activities.

During World War II, many Jews in Kolkata were afraid because the Japanese invaded India and they were worried that they would be persecuted. However, the local community helped them and they were able to stay safe.

Today, there are not as many Jewish people living in Kolkata as there used to be. However, the Magen David Synagogue still exists and is a popular tourist attraction. It is an important part of Kolkata's history and culture.