Manjali

For today we decided to travel to Manjali. Located in between Mala and Parur, which both used to have a decent Jewish population but today are left with only a Synagogue, it is the home of one lone Jewish family who moved there for business purposes.

Once again, after calling a half dozen times figuring out where they live and giving the driver directions, we set our eyes on the road once more. After about an hour we reach the country roads and beautiful scenery of Manjali (not to be confused with Manali), and the home of Mr. and Mrs. Namia.

Facing the road and the lake.

The Namias house.

In the front room of the house. Notice in the previous picture that there is no glass in the front window frames.

They moved to Manjali 26 years ago from Alvei, where there is a small Jewish community, to enjoy the quiet country life and to oversee the agricultural activities on the land he owns.
Mr. Namia does not speak english very well so most of the conversation was directed towards his wife. They have 3 children who live somewhere, i have forgotten, and they probably have jobs too. Being that they live on their own, Mr. Namia learned how to shecht in Israel and thereby prepares his own meat and keeps a kosher kitchen. They were very proud to show us the menorah which they have prominently displayed in the 'living room', next to the pictures of their children.

Mendy and Mr. Namia

The view from the second story porch

Checking out the view. (it was simply gorgeous.)

After enjoying the cool breeze up on the porch we inquired with regards to any other Jews living in the area. They were kind enough to provide us with the telephone numbers of their siblings who live in Alvei, and some others who live in that area.

Figuring out where to go next.

A boat.

House on the lake.

The boat again

The view of the house from the road.

Unfortunately Mr. Namia did not want to put on teffilin, saying that he has his own teffilin and he goes to the Synagogue in Mattancherry once in a while and he puts them on there. So after a short visit we decided to move on and see what, and who else we could find to 'spread the light'.

Saying good bye. (Oh wait, aren't we not supposed to do that?)

Enjoy!

Bs"d thats all for now.