Once a thriving community of 6,000 , about 500 Jews are living in Kolkata , India . It was probably that way when Rahel Musleah journeyed back to Kolkata in 1997 to cement the shadowy images of a way of life she had heard about . Jews began arriving in India in the 18th century from Turkey , Syria and Iraq . Some 12,000 Jews were leaving when India gained independence in 1947 .
Once a thriving community of 6,000 , about 500 Jews are living in Kolkata , India . Jews began arriving in India in the 18th century from Turkey , Syria and Iraq . Some 12,000 Jews were leaving when India gained independence in 1947 .