Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis to visit India

A spokesman for the Chief Rabbi’s Office confirmed that the visit would clash with Limmud this year, and as a result Rabbi Mirvis would not be able to attend the event.

The Indian Jewish community was founded in the 11th century. The oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth, the Paradesi synagogue, was built by the Jews of the southern Indian city of Cochin in 1567.

Jews from Persia, Afghanistan and Iraq flocked to India – making Bombay home to largest Jewish community in the country by the late 18th century.

Prominent British Jewish businessmen – including the Saatchis and Reubens – are descended from Iraqi Jews who moved to India.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the UK earlier this month.