To Be Continued...

So I know that since my cliffhanging ending to my previous post, the anticipation over today’s has been killing you all! (Don’t worry. I don’t actually have such delusions of grandeur as to think my blog matters THAT MUCH to everyone) But never fear, faithful readers. The mystery of the elusive topic for today’s blog is about to be revealed! So, as I was saying.....A Christian and a Hindu walk into a Synagogue....

....in south Mumbai, on a Sunday afternoon. The Christian’s name was obviously Jill. And the Hindu was none other than the always-fabulous Sonali.
“But why were Jill and Sonali going to a Synagogue in south Mumbai on a Sunday afternoon?” you ask.
Well clearly it was because they needed something translated into Hebrew, and had decided that a Jewish Rabbi would be the best person to provide said translation. But, seeing as Judaism is not one of the predominant religions in India, they had to do a bit of searching to locate a Rabbi who would be up to the task. Luckily there is an historic synagogue located in south Mumbai. So, one fine Sunday afternoon, Jill and Sonali hopped on the train and ventured southwards on their quest for Hebrew translation.
The girls also decided that no quest would be complete without a nice lunch to accompany it, and therefore made a stop at Basilico, a lovely cafe that oozed of European style. After a wonderful meal which satisfied Jill’s perpetual yearning for exotic vegetables like broccoli and asparagus, the two adventurous souls continued on to their destination.




Along the way, Sonali indulged Jill’s inclination to photograph everything in sight, until the two finally arrived at Kenneth Eliyahoo Synagogue.




(Random mosaic art on a wall)

















(The "Black Horse" Neighborhood)

(This is the train station!)

This towering, baby blue building stood in stark contrast to the white-washed walls around it. Having finally neared the end of their journey, Jill and Sonali tentatively entered the building. They shyly looked around the large hall filled with religious texts, pictures of past auspicious visitors to the site, and signs banning unauthorized photography. Finally, Sonali mustered up the courage to inquire after the Rabbi, only to be told that he was on his lunch break, and would return shortly. So Jill and Sonali waited patiently, taking in the beautiful stained glass windows, and resisting the urge to snap pictures of the interior of the building. At last a rotund man with thick glasses appeared and greeted the two. After inquiring whether Jill was Jewish, and looking quite disappointed at her negative response, the man informed the girls that he could not provide translation for them that day. They would instead, need to return in a few days to retrieve their Hebrew writings. Undeterred from their goal, the girls left the Synagogue that day with plans to complete their mission later that week. And thus, the saga of Jill and Sonali’s Hebraic quest continues....