Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church -17 P.M. Jusse

P.M. Jusse, a prominent educationalist, historian, journalist, and author, was born on June 19, 1919, as the third of nine children to the couple Poyathuruthi Matthew and Rose in Chendamangal, near North Paravur. After studying at Gothuruth High School, Thrissur St. Joseph’s College, and Annamalai University, he obtained postgraduate degrees in English Literature. Jose excelled both academically and in sports and served as the Secretary of the Annamalai University Students’ Union. He later worked as an English teacher at his alma mater, Annamalai University, and at Karakudi Alagappa College. From 1962, he served as the Head of the Humanities Department at the Kozhikode Regional Engineering College until his retirement from teaching in 1979.

Although he was an English teacher, Jose had a particular interest in history, especially ancient history. His research on the Jewish community in Kerala led to a fellowship from the Foundation for Jewish Studies in the United States to conduct further research in Israel. In 1981, he spent six months at the renowned Ben-Zvi Institute in Israel, where his significant research papers gained international recognition. That year, he was invited to chair the World Convention for Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. The then President of Israel, Yitzhak Navon, was so impressed by Jose’s research that he granted him an interview and extended his congratulations.

As the Chief Editor of Kerala Times, Jose participated in the World Catholic Editors’ Conference held in Dublin, Ireland, and later in the Asian Catholic Editors’ Conference in Bangkok.

Jusse was one of the four scholars invited to prepare articles on the ethnic groups of Kerala for the comprehensive ten-volume “Anthropological Survey of India” prepared by the Indian Government.

He was also an active member of the Indian History Congress, an esteemed historical organization in India. The papers he presented at the annual conferences of this organization have been recognized as authoritative documents on the Jewish community in Kerala.

His articles, covering topics such as history, philosophy, and literature, have been published in major publications throughout Kerala.