Ohel David Synagogue

Ohel David Synagogue Review

Built in the 1860s and called the Lal Deval (red temple) by locals, the Ohel David Synagogue is rather striking—it has beautiful stained-glass windows and an imposing 90-foot tower—and a bit out of place in Pune, which once had only a small Jewish population. The Jewish businessman and philanthropist David Sassoon, who divided his time between Mumbai and Pune, built this synagogue and the David Sassoon hospital. Sassoon is buried on the synagogue grounds. It's worth checking out the synagogue interior. To do so, however, it's advisable to call the number listed below to speak to David Solomon, the caretaker and organize a visit (for security reasons the synagogue is not open without an appointment). If you're here, it's a quick hop over to the trendy, up-and-coming area of town nearby, on M. G. (Mahatma Gandhi) Road and East Street. The area has lots of smart shops and restaurants.