Exploring Jewish Presence In Bahrain: A Complex Dynamic

Jews have been present in Bahrain since ancient times, with Talmudic references indicating their presence in the region in 630 C.E. Today, Bahrain is home to a small but active Jewish community, with around 36-50 Jewish citizens from six families, making it one of the smallest Jewish populations in the world. While the community primarily worships in private homes, the recent normalisation of ties between Bahrain and Israel has allowed Jews to worship more openly, with the country's only synagogue being renovated and used for services. Despite their small number, Bahraini Jews hold prominent positions in business and politics, and enjoy equal rights alongside their Muslim neighbours.

History of Jews in Bahrain

The Jewish community in Bahrain is one of the smallest in the world, with around 30 to 50 members. However, its origins go back to late antiquity, with Talmudic sources indicating that Jews settled in the region during ancient times. Arabic sources also record the presence of Jews in Hajar, the old capital of Bahrain, when it was occupied by an army sent by Muhammad in 630 CE. These sources note that the Jews refused to convert to Islam.

In the 12th century, Benjamin of Tudela mentions 500 Jews living in Qays and 5,000 in Al-Qatif, involved in the pearl industry. In the 19th century, Jewish merchants from Iraq, Persia, and India began settling in Bahrain, with the Yadgar family migrating from Iraq in the 1880s and becoming prominent in the textile trade. Other families, like the Nonoos, found success in banking.

Before the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, the Jewish community in Bahrain numbered nearly 600. However, with the birth of the Jewish state, anti-Semitic riots erupted, and the local synagogue was burned down. Many Jews fled to Israel, the United States, or the United Kingdom. In 1947, a riot resulted in the destruction of the synagogue and the death of an elderly Jewish woman. During this time, many Bahraini Jews found refuge with Muslim families.

By the 1960s, only about 200 to 300 Jews remained in Bahrain, and after the Six-Day War in 1967, most of the community left the country. In recent years, the remaining Jewish community in Bahrain has lived in relative harmony with their neighbours. While they do not face serious clashes or anti-Semitism, they tend to avoid public discussions about Israel or Zionism.

In 2020, Bahrain and Israel agreed to establish diplomatic relations, and travel links were established between the two countries. This normalization opened up new opportunities for the Jewish community, allowing them to worship publicly and develop their cultural practices. Efforts are now being made to preserve and revitalize Jewish life in Bahrain, with the renovation of the Manama synagogue and plans to establish a yeshiva.

Jewish life in Bahrain

However, in 1947, anti-Semitic disturbances broke out, with one Jew killed and several injured. This was followed by further anti-Semitic riots in 1948, when many Jewish homes and the synagogue were ransacked and burned down by Muslim foreigners who had entered the country. Many Jews fled to Israel, the US, or the UK, and by the 1960s, only about 200-300 Jews remained in Bahrain. Another mass exodus occurred after the 1967 Six-Day War, leaving only a tiny community behind.

Today, there are approximately 36-50 Jewish citizens in Bahrain, from six families, with most living in Manama. The community is small but active, with representatives in high government positions. They are centred around the country's only synagogue, which was recently renovated and reopened, allowing public worship for the first time in decades. The community also maintains a small Jewish cemetery.

While the community rarely has enough members for a minyan, they are able to conduct religious services and ceremonies in private homes or bring rabbis in from abroad for important events. The community has no rabbi, and most spiritual observances must be conducted overseas. Jewish children attend one of three schools: public school, Catholic school, or private "American" school.

Despite the region's religious tensions, Bahraini Jews feel comfortable and welcomed. They have equal rights, and the government has worked to promote religious tolerance and coexistence. The King of Bahrain has denounced the Arab boycott of Israel and encouraged his citizens to travel to the country.

Jewish Bahraini figures

Ebrahim Daoud Nonoo

Ebrahim Daoud Nonoo is a Jewish businessman and politician. He served in the upper house of the Bahraini Parliament's Shura Council from 2000 to 2008. He is the community representative of the Jewish Community of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Bahraini affiliate of the World Jewish Congress.

Houda Ezra Nonoo

Houda Ezra Nonoo is the niece of Ebrahim Daoud Nonoo. She replaced him in the Shura Council in 2005 and served until 2008. She was then appointed by King Hamid ibn Isa Al Khalifah as Ambassador to the United States from 2008 to 2013, becoming the first Jew in the Arab world to serve as an ambassador. She also headed the Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society, campaigning against the reintroduction of the death penalty.

Nancy Khedouri

Nancy Khedouri is a Jewish Bahraini author who wrote "From Our Beginning to Present Day" about the Bahraini Jewish community. She was appointed to the Bahraini Parliament in 2010, replacing Houda Nonoo.

Abraham David Nonoo

Abraham David Nonoo is a former member of Bahrain's Shura Council, or parliamentary council. He is also the unofficial leader of the Jewish community in Bahrain. He recently renovated the synagogue in Manama with his own funds.

The Jewish community in Bahrain is one of the smallest in the world, with about 50 Jews living in the country, most of them in Manama. Despite their small number, they are well-integrated into Bahraini society and some have even reached high government positions.

Jewish travel in Bahrain

Bahrain is home to one of the world's smallest Jewish communities, with around 36-50 Jewish citizens from six families, most of whom live in Manama. The community is made up mostly of Jews from India, Iran, and Iraq, who arrived in the late 1800s and worked in textiles, commerce, and crafts.

History

Bahrain has been home to Jews since ancient times, with references to Jews living in the old capital of Bahrain, Hajar, dating back to 630 CE. In the 12th century, Benjamin of Tudela recorded that nearly 500 Jews lived in Qays, and 5,000 in Al-Qatifa, involved in the pearl industry. In the 1930s and 1940s, there were so many Jewish-owned businesses along Al-Mutanabi Road that it was called "Jews' Street", and shops would close for the Jewish Sabbath.

However, the community declined during the twentieth century, particularly after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, which led to anti-Semitic riots and the destruction of the local synagogue. Many Jews left Bahrain, emigrating to Israel, the United States, or the United Kingdom. By the 1960s, only 200-300 Jews remained, and after riots broke out again following the Six-Day War in 1967, most of the community left the country.

Current Status

Today, the Jewish community in Bahrain is quite small but is celebrated as part of the country's diversity. The community has no rabbi, so religious ceremonies are conducted abroad or in private homes on holidays. The community maintains a small cemetery and the country's only synagogue, the Bahrain Synagogue in Manama, which is currently not in use.

Travel

Bahrain could be a great destination for Jewish heritage tours. The country offers a unique opportunity to explore various islands, participate in water sports, and learn about the thousands of years of Jewish history in the region.

For kosher food options, the Ritz Carlton in Manama offers kosher meals, and there are also a few hotels within walking distance of the synagogue, including The Merchant House, Intercontinental Regency, and Rotana Downtown.

Some notable sights in Bahrain include:

• Manama City: Home to glistening skyscrapers, the Bahrain World Trade Center, traditional markets, and a diverse food scene.
• Amwaj Island: A group of artificial islands featuring some of the best beaches in Bahrain, as well as malls and great restaurants.
• Hawar Island: A nature lover's paradise, home to dolphins, pink flamingos, and sand gazelle. It's also a great location for water sports.
• Bahrain National Museum: A beachfront museum showcasing artifacts dating back 4,000 years, providing insight into the country's rich history.
• Al Jasra: A village on the western coast of Bahrain known for its arts and crafts, including beautiful pottery and textiles.
• Hamad Town: A culturally diverse area featuring the Bahrain International Circuit, a Formula One location, as well as the Souq Waqif and Bahrain Flea Market for shopping.

Bahrain-Israel relations

Bahrain and Israel have had relations since Bahrain gained its independence in 1971. However, the two countries have only recently established diplomatic relations, agreeing to do so in September 2020.

The Jewish community in Bahrain is the only one in the Persian Gulf, and it is a small but active organization with representatives in high government positions. The community is quite small today but is celebrated as part of Bahrain's diversity.

Historical Relations

Bahrain became part of the Arab League boycott of Israel after gaining independence from British rule in 1971. However, the country sent representatives to the Madrid Conference of 1991 and hosted the first official Israeli delegation in late September 1994. Trade missions were opened in both capitals after the Oslo I Accord, but they were closed after the Al-Aqsa Intifada in 2000.

Thawing Relations

Bahrain abandoned its boycott of Israel in 2004 or 2005 in exchange for a free trade agreement with the United States. In September 2017, the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, denounced the Arab League boycott of Israel, saying that the kingdom's citizens were entitled to visit Israel, even though the two countries had no diplomatic relations.

In October 2019, an Israeli official attended the "Working Group on Maritime and Aviation Security" in Manama, Bahrain. In December 2019, the Jerusalem chief rabbi visited Bahrain for an interfaith event.

Normalization of Relations

On 11 September 2020, it was announced that Bahrain and Israel had agreed to establish full diplomatic relations. The agreement was signed on 15 September 2020 at the White House in Washington, D.C. On 18 October 2020, an Israeli delegation led by National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat traveled to Manama, Bahrain, to sign a normalization declaration document.

In March 2021, Bahrain appointed its first ambassador to Israel, Khaled Yousif al-Jalahma, who arrived in Israel at the end of August 2021. In September 2021, Israel opened a resident embassy in Manama.

In February 2022, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett made a historic two-day visit to Bahrain, meeting with the Bahraini king, crown prince, cabinet ministers, and representatives of the local Jewish community. The two countries agreed to implement a bilateral 10-year plan called "The Joint Warm Peace Strategy," focusing on innovation ecosystems, food and water security, sustainable energy, healthcare, education, trade, and investment.

Strained Relations

On 2 November 2023, Bahrain announced that it had recalled its ambassador from Israel and suspended all economic relations due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Bahrain's parliament issued a statement citing its "solid and historical stance that supports the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people." Israel stated that it had no knowledge of the decision.

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