In many cases, Jewish travel is often associated with heritage tours to Europe or Israel. After all, Israel is known as the homeland of the Jewish people, and the European Jews have such a colorful history that has made a big mark on the Western world. However, these places are not all there is worth visiting for Jewish travelers. 

It may come as a shock for some, but Judaism was actually one of the first foreign faiths to make its way to India. The Jews lived there in relative harmony with the locals for more than two thousand years. Some have settled there since the time of the Kingdom of Judah, while others had moved after the Second Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed. 

According to Professor Nathan Katz, the story of the Indian Jews is one of the happiest chapters in Jewish diaspora history. For a people that has faced many highs and lows throughout history, that statement speaks volumes. 

The Jews of India have managed to keep their religion and practices while also assimilating into the local cultures. And during this period, even until today, there have been hardly any anti-Semitic actions by the local non-Jewish population. For travelers used to learning about the lives of Jews in Europe, visiting India can be a breath of fresh air for them. 

As one of the world's oldest nations, India is filled with archaeological wonders that are hundreds if not thousands of years old. But it is in no short supply of Jewish heritage sites either. 

When it comes to resilient synagogues, India still has about seventeen that have survived the years. Most of these were established in the 18th and 19th centuries, although the Jews have already built places of worship far before that. 

These synagogues are spread throughout the areas where Jews once lived or are still living in, particularly in Mumbai, Kochin, and Kolkata. The largest synagogue in Asia that is not located in Israel. It can actually be found in India, the Ohel David Synagogue of Pune. However, only a handful are still in use today, as the Jewish populations in these areas are small. 

Globetrotters that are searching for a kind of Jewish travel experience that is far different from what they'll find in the West can give India a try. They have a small but active community, and their Chabad centers are always open to visitors who need lodging and a place to hold  Jewish religious services. Not only that, but there are also kosher tour groups and cruises that ply their trade in this country, making it far easier for Jewish travelers who want to keep completely kosher for their entire trip. 

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