Show Notes
Jewish History Nerds is a Signal Awards finalist. Vote for us in Listener's Choice by Thu 15 Oct. You have to sign up/log in to vote. https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/individual-episodes/genre/history
Jonathan Schwab and Yael Steiner follow the Cochin copper plates from royal charter to communal touchstone—three hammered sheets of metal inscribed in Tamil and Vattezhuthu that granted a Jewish leader named Joseph Rabban rights, status, and a place in India’s intricate hierarchy. From Solomonic trade legends to Black, White, and Brown Jewish castes, from Portuguese incursions to a post-1948 exodus that left barely a remnant in Cochin, they trace how one fragile document illuminates a Jewish community that was honored, separate, deeply Zionist—and still symbolically anchored to the Malabar coast.
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Click here or a summary and sources referenced in the episode.
Click here to see pictures of the Cochin Copper Plates.
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For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History
Wondering Jews
More from Jewish History Nerds
Jewish History Nerds is now an award-winning podcast! We took home two Signal Awards for history: Gold and Listener’s Choice. Thank you, Nerd Nation for coming out to vote.
We're a finalist for a Signal Award in the history category. So we decided to revisit the episode submitted for consideration. If you enjoy this show, please comment wherever you get your podcasts. We'll be back soon with a brand new season of episodes.
We're a finalist for a Signal Award in the history category. If you enjoy this show, please comment wherever you get your podcasts. We will be back soon with a brand new season.
Voting has closed. Jewish History Nerds is a finalist for a Signal Award in the history category and has the. chance to win a listener's choice award.
Jewish History Nerds is a finalist for a Signal Award in the history category. If you enjoy this show, please comment wherever you get your podcasts. We'll be back soon with a brand new season.