Harmony of Diversity Joshua Cogan Exhibit Shows Four Cultures at Peace in India by Amy Schoenberger Joshua Cogan expected to study another culture. What he found was four cultures living harmoniously together in such a beautiful way that he felt it was his duty to show others that in this modern world, it is possible for people of different faiths to live, pray and work together in an ancient town that holds much of the worldís history and culture. Cogan is the photographer and creative ingenuity behind the exhibit ìCochin Diary: Jewish Life in Southern India,î organized by the Bínai Bírith Klutznick National Jewish Museum. The display, being shown at the restored Sixth and I Historic Synagogue, was originally meant to portray a fading population of Jews living in Cochin, India. However, once Cogan saw the many cultures co-existing together, he changed his focus to include all four faiths that have been dominant in the historic town for centuries. Cochin, populated by 600,000 people and located on a small peninsula off of Indiaís west coast, has been home to Jews, Hindus, Muslims and Christians for centuries. Cogan divided the exhibit into four parts, one for the culture and lifestyles of each religious gr oup represented in Cochin. The Jews originally arrived seeking refuge after the destruction of the second temple in Jerusalem. In 1948, many returned to Jerusalem to live in the newly proclaimed state of Israel. There are few Jews remaining in Cochin today. The Muslims living in Cochin arrived centuries ago when missionaries came to spread the word of Mohammed, as was the case in other parts of India. The first mosque built in India was in Cochin, so Muslims also have a special connection to this small town rooted in culture and history. Hindus arrived in the 17th century fleeing persecution from the Portuguese, and today about half of Cochinís population is made up of Hindus. The Christians arrived when St. Thomas came to Indiaís southern coast and began to convert people to Christianity. Portuguese Franciscan Friars established Indiaís first European-built church in 1503 in Cochin. In the exhibit, Cogan reveals the lives of the many different people found in Cochin. In the Jewish section of the exhibit, the Pardesi Synagogue is featured. This house of worship was built in a Sephardic style and had two bimas, a distinct feature unique to Cochin. Coganís photos show a man praying in the temple, a woman embroidering a kippot (a head covering for men), and a deteriorating Torah scroll preserved upstairs in the synagogue. Not only is the Pardesiís elaborate, chandelier-lined ceiling portrayed in the photographs, but viewers are also able to feel the deep sense of loyalty and religion felt by these few remaining Jews in Cochin. Along with the synagogue, Cogan photographed an old mikvah, or bathhouse, a Jewish graveyard and another synagogue that has been in ruins across the river from Cochin for about 70 years. The only remaining item in the synagogue is the woodwork on the Aron Kodesh, the ark for the Torah. Cogan presents the haunting photo of a once burning flame that has sat corroded and unlit for years. Coganís favorite and most revealing photograph offers an in-depth look into the peaceful existence and accepting atmosphere of this community. The photograph depicts two children lighting candles in front of the grave of Jewish Kabbalist Avram Mota. What intrigued Cogan about this scene was the fact that the two children were not even Jewishóone was Hindu and the other was Christian. ìThis image represented a pivotal moment in my journey of understanding about Cochin,î Cogan wrote on the photographís accompanying panel. The other three sections of the exhibit feature mosques, everyday scenes of Muslim life, the Hindu Durga festival and other images of Hindus living in Cochin, including one of a Hindu grandmother peeling manioc for cooking while her grandson rests his cheek on her shoulder. The Christian faith section includes an illuminating photo shown in only red and black of women celebrating the feast of Fatima, walking down the street holding candles. A photograph of four fishermen standing on a boat praying illustrates the different faiths living and even praying side by side in Cochin. In the picture, the four fishermen, each of a different faith, recite their respective morning prayers before going out to fish. Cogan portrays Cochin to be a beautiful, peaceful, unique community with a plethora of cultures. The harmonious existence in a town bustling with people who understand, accept and experience each otherís religion and culture is what makes Cochin extraordinary, and what Cogan found most intriguing about the town itself. ìI really think the message is a beautiful one that people should be looking at,î Cogan said. ìWhat I want people to see is that itís not just a Jewish story, that itís a story about lifeóa life where people actually can get along and live in peace.î ìCochin Diary: Jewish Life in Southern Indiaî runs through March 31 at the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue, 600 I St., NW. Visitors must call in advance. For more information, please call (202) 857-6583 or visit www.bnaibrith.org/museum/. Amy Schoenberger is an editorial intern for The Washington Diplomat.