Mattancherry: Marking the end of an era, Queenie Halegua (89), the last remaining Jewish woman in Kochi, has passed away at Mattancherry. She was one of the two Jews left in the Jew Street here. Queenie breathed her last on Sunday morning.
She was daughter of a prominent businessman in Kochi S Koder. She was the managing trustee of Mattancherry Paradesi Synagogue. Queenie was also the managing partner of Koder Pvt Ltd.
Queenie’s family has contributed greatly to the overall development of the Kochi region. Her family was the first to introduce electricity supply and boat service in Kochi. Her husband Samuel Halegua had passed away before.
She is survived by children Fiona and David (both USA), nephews Alum and Cicy. Her children were present at the time of her death. Burial was done at the Jewish Cemetery in Mattancherry after the customary ceremonies.
As the Jewish woman named Queeni Halegua leaves the world, the Jewish history of Kochi is entering its final phase. There is only one Jew left in Mattanchery's Jew Street now. Jewish life in Kochi has a history of centuries.
All the streets adjacent to Mattancherry Bazaar were once inhabited by Jews. There were people who belonged to the ‘Paradesi’ class and were known as Black Jews in Kochi. Separate synagogue for both groups.
All major industries in Kochi were run by Jews. Centuries ago, Kochi had its own electricity distribution system– Cochin Electric Company– in the private sector. The company was run by a Jew, S S Koder.
Later that company was taken over by the State Electricity Board. Koder was also the first to start water transport services in Kochi. Koder also had shops that sold all the daily necessities of a community.
The name 'Koder's Shop' is firmly written on the minds of the ancient people of Kochi. The Koder Building in Fort Kochi is also famous. That beautiful construction still stands tall with Jewish memory.
Paradesi Synagogue is still the center that attracts the most tourists coming to Kochi. The street where the Jews used to live came to be known as Jew Street. On both sides of that street were Jewish shops.
All the Jews of Kochi returned to Israel in phases. Both the old people as well as children have gone back. They occasionally come to Kochi from Israel.
As everyone returned, there was no one to even pray in the church. Masses require a certain number of believers. Owing to the low number of members in the community, often people from other areas were brought to pray.
All the Jewish houses in Mattancherry are still the same. But there are no Jews living inside. All that remains is Keith Halegua, a relative of the now deceased Queenie Halegua.
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