Jewish Population In Bahrain: How Many Are There?

Bahrain's Jewish community is one of the smallest in the world, with around 50 members out of a total population of 1.5 million. The community is active and well-integrated, with representatives in high government positions, and is the only one in the Persian Gulf. The presence of Jews in Bahrain dates back to ancient times, with references to Jews in the region in Talmudic and Arabic texts. The community thrived in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but declined following the establishment of Israel and several anti-Semitic riots. Today, Bahrain's Jews are celebrated as part of the country's diverse society, and efforts are being made to revitalise Jewish life in the country.

The history of Jews in Bahrain

The Jewish community in Bahrain is one of the smallest in the world, with around 36 to 50 Jewish citizens from six families, as of 2007. However, the history of Jews in Bahrain goes back to ancient times, with references to Jewish settlements in the region dating back to late antiquity in Talmudic sources.

Arabic sources record the presence of Jews in Hajar, the old capital of Bahrain, during the Islamic conquest in 630 CE. These sources note that the Jews of Hajar refused to convert to Islam when Muhammad sent an army to occupy the territory. In the 12th century, Jewish adventurer Benjamin of Tudela recorded that 500 Jews lived in Qays and 5,000 in Al-Qatif, working in the pearl industry.

In the 19th century, Jewish merchants from Iraq, Persia, and India settled in Bahrain, with the migration of the Iraqi Yadgar family in the 1880s considered the origin of the modern Bahraini Jewish community. The community thrived in local commerce and crafts, with some families becoming prominent and wealthy, particularly in the textile and banking industries.

Before the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, the Jewish community in Bahrain numbered almost 600. However, anti-Semitic disturbances and riots in 1947 and 1948, including the burning of the local synagogue, led to a decline in the Jewish population as many immigrated to Israel or settled in the United States and the United Kingdom. By the 1960s, only about 200 to 300 Jews remained in Bahrain, and after riots broke out again following the Six-Day War in 1967, most of the community left the country.

In recent years, the Bahraini Jewish community has experienced a revival, with the renovation and reopening of the Bahrain Synagogue in Manama in 2021. The community is celebrated as a part of Bahrain's diversity, and notable Bahraini Jews have held high government positions, such as Ebrahim David Nonoo, who served in the parliamentary council, and his cousin, Houda Ezra Ebrahim Nonoo, who served as the country's ambassador to the United States from 2008 to 2013.

The size of Bahrain's Jewish community

The Jewish community in Bahrain is one of the smallest in the world, though its origins go back to late antiquity. Arabic sources record Jews in the old capital of Bahrain, Hajar, at the time of the Islamic conquest in 630 CE. 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, there were Jewish merchants from Iraq, Persia, and India in Bahrain.

The Jewish community declined during the twentieth century. In 1947, there was an antisemitic disturbance in which one Jew was killed and several injured. In 1948, there were 1,500 Jews living in Bahrain, while some sources give the Jewish population as 600 that year. However, after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, anti-Semitic riots erupted, and the synagogue was burned down. Many Jews fled to Israel, the United States, or the United Kingdom. In 1950, only 293 Jews remained in the country.

By the 1960s, about 200 to 300 Jews were left in Bahrain, but after riots broke out again following the Six-Day War in 1967, most of the remaining community left the country. At the beginning of the 21st century, about 30 Jews remained in Bahrain, and as of 2007, the Jewish population numbered 36. Today, there are approximately 36 to 50 Jewish citizens, from six families, in Bahrain out of a total population of 700,000 to 1.4 million. While the community rarely has a minyan, Bahrain is the only country in the Persian Gulf with a Jewish community and a synagogue.

The Bahraini Jewish community is quite small but celebrated as part of the country's diversity. Jews in Bahrain feel welcomed and enjoy equal rights as their Muslim neighbours. The community is centred in Manama, the capital and largest city of Bahrain, where the only synagogue in the country, the Bahrain Synagogue, is located. The synagogue was built in the 1930s by Iranian Jewish merchant Shimon Cohen and financed by an American jeweller named Rosenthal. It is the oldest continuously operating synagogue in the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The Jewish community in Bahrain has no rabbi, so religious ceremonies are conducted abroad or in private homes. The community also maintains a small cemetery. Notable Bahraini Jews include Ebrahim David Nonoo, a member of Bahrain's parliamentary council, and his cousin, Houda Ezra Ebrahim Nonoo, who served in the upper house of the Bahraini parliament and was the first Jew in the Arab world to serve as an ambassador.

The location of Jewish people in Bahrain

The Jewish community in Bahrain is one of the smallest in the world, with around 36 to 50 Jewish citizens from six families, as of 2022. The majority of Jews in Bahrain live in Umm al Hassam in Manama, the capital and largest city of Bahrain.

The presence of Jews in Bahrain dates back to ancient times, with references in Talmudic sources to Jewish settlements in the region. In the 12th century, Benjamin of Tudela mentions 500 Jews living in Qays and 5,000 in Al-Qatif, involved in the local pearl industry. In the 19th century, Jewish merchants from Iraq, Persia, and India settled in Bahrain, with the community thriving in local commerce and crafts.

In the 1930s and 1940s, there were numerous Jewish-owned businesses along Al-Mutanabi Road, which became known as "Jews' Street". However, the birth of the State of Israel in 1948 led to anti-Semitic riots, causing many Jews to immigrate to Israel. By the 1960s, only about 200 to 300 Jews remained in Bahrain, and after riots broke out again following the Six-Day War in 1967, most of the Jewish community left the country.

Today, the Jewish community in Bahrain is small but celebrated as part of the country's diversity. The community has no rabbi, so religious ceremonies are conducted abroad, and religious services are held in private homes on holidays. The community maintains a small cemetery and the only synagogue in the country, the Bahrain Synagogue in Manama, which is affiliated with the modern Orthodox stream of Judaism.

The treatment of Jewish people in Bahrain

In the late 19th century, Jews from Iraq, Iran, and India settled in Bahrain, becoming active in commerce and handicrafts. The community thrived, and a small synagogue was consecrated in Manama, the capital of Bahrain. Before the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, nearly 600 Jews lived in Bahrain, and Jewish-owned businesses were common along Al-Mutanabi Road.

However, the birth of the Jewish State changed the situation. Anti-Semitic riots erupted in 1947, resulting in the destruction of the synagogue and the assault and murder of Jewish community members. Many Jews fled to Israel, the United States, or the United Kingdom. This pattern repeated after the Six-Day War in 1967, leading to a significant decline in the Jewish population in Bahrain.

In recent years, the Jewish community in Bahrain has been celebrated as part of the country's diversity. Jewish Bahraini author Nancy Khedouri has highlighted the religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence she has experienced in the country. The community has representation in high government positions, with individuals like Ebrahim David Nonoo and Houda Ezra Nonoo serving in the parliamentary council and Houda Nonoo becoming the first Jewish ambassador from the Arab world.

While there are no specific laws protecting the right to religious freedom for Jews in Bahrain, they are generally allowed to practice their faith privately without governmental interference. However, Bahraini Jews are restricted from visiting Israel due to their Bahraini passports. Despite this, relations between the two countries have improved in recent years, with the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2020.

The future of Bahrain's Jewish community

Bahrain's Jewish community is one of the smallest in the world, with around 36 to 50 Jewish citizens from six families. The community is centred in Manama, the capital and largest city of Bahrain. While the community is small, it is significant as it is the only Jewish community in the Persian Gulf region and one of the few indigenous Jewish communities in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

In recent years, the Bahraini government has taken steps to preserve and support the Jewish community. The government has offered the community land to rebuild a synagogue that was destroyed in 1948 and has insisted on maintaining the existing synagogue as a Jewish place of worship. The synagogue was renovated in 2021 and opened to the public for the first time in 74 years. Services are held every Shabbat morning, and the community comes together to celebrate religious holidays in private homes.

The Jewish community in Bahrain also holds prominent positions in society and government. Notable members include Ebrahim David Nonoo, a member of Bahrain's parliamentary council, and his cousin, Houda Ezra Ebrahim Nonoo, who served as the country's ambassador to the United States from 2008 to 2013. Another prominent figure is Nancy Khedouri, a Bahraini Jew who wrote a book about the community and currently serves in the parliament.

In 2020, Bahrain and Israel established diplomatic relations and agreed to normalise relations, allowing Bahraini Jews to travel to Israel and reconnect with relatives. This development has positively impacted the community, with efforts to promote religious tolerance and cultural exchange between the two countries.

Looking ahead, the future of Bahrain's Jewish community appears bright. The community continues to be celebrated as a part of Bahrain's diverse society, and its members enjoy equal rights alongside their Muslim neighbours. With the support of the Bahraini government and improved relations with Israel, the community is likely to thrive and play an important role in the country's cultural and social landscape.

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