Congregation BINA

JOSEPH EZEKIEL RAJPURKAR (1834-1905)

Joseph Ezekiel Rajpurkar was born in Bombay in 1834. His school and college education proceeded in British Christian missionary schools where he had such renowned teachers as Rev. John Wilson, Dr. J.M. Mitchell and Rev. R. Nesbit who described him as a diligent student with clear logic and perseverance.

Joseph began his career in 1860 as an assistant teacher in the David Sassoon Benevolent Institute and within five years rose to become the Head-Master - a post he held for over 40 years. Under his expert guidance, some of his students went on to make their mark in Government Services in India, England, China and other British colonies, e.g., Sir Edward Sassoon Bart, British M.P.

He gained his elementary knowledge of Hebrew from his father, but went on to master the Hebrew language through his own efforts. He was a self-taught Hebraist; was very religious and served as a lay-minister.

In 1871, he was the first Bene Israel to be appointed Examiner in Hebrew Language at the Bombay University for the Matriculation examination, as well as for graduate and post-graduate levels. Later, he was appointed Examiner in Arts. He was the first Bene Israel to be made a Fellow of the Bombay University in 1879. In 1890, he was the first Bene Israel to be appointed Justice of the Peace.

Joseph maintained a record of events in the community that are used by researchers to this day. He spent years translating several Hebrew books and Hebrew Prayer books into Marathi for the benefit of the Bene Israel community. He was also the author of several books. A summary of his published works is given below.