Exploring Jewish Population In Azerbaijan: Numbers And History

Azerbaijan has a long and rich Jewish history, with Jewish communities existing in the country for centuries. The country is home to several subgroups, including Ashkenazi, Bukharian, Georgian, Kurdish, and Mountain Jews. While the number of Jews in Azerbaijan has decreased over the years due to emigration and assimilation, the country still has a significant Jewish population and strong relations with Israel.

The number of Jews in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan has a long Jewish history, with Jews having lived in the country for centuries. The country is home to several subgroups of Jews, including Ashkenazi, Bukharian, Georgian, Kurdish, and Mountain Jews. The exact number of Jews in Azerbaijan is unclear, with estimates ranging from 6,900 to 24,000.

Mountain Jews, who are not Sephardic or Ashkenazic, make up the majority of the Jewish population in Azerbaijan. They are believed to be descended from the Persian Empire and have a rich history dating back to the 5th century BCE. They have their own distinct language, called Judeo-Tat, and are known for their strong commitment to their religion. The Mountain Jews are concentrated primarily in the city of Quba, where they have established a thriving community with active synagogues and schools.

The capital city of Baku is also home to a significant Jewish population, with an estimated 4,000 Ashkenazim living in the city. The first Ashkenazi Jews settled in Baku in 1811, and the community continues to flourish, with synagogues, schools, and cultural organizations.

While the Jewish population in Azerbaijan has declined due to emigration and assimilation, the country has a history of religious tolerance and cooperation between Jews and Muslims. The government has returned synagogues and Jewish colleges nationalized by the Soviets to the Jewish community and has encouraged their restoration. Jewish organizations also work closely with the government to provide support and assistance to refugees within the country.

Overall, Azerbaijan is home to a diverse and resilient Jewish community that has endured for centuries. Despite the challenges of emigration and assimilation, the Jewish community in Azerbaijan continues to preserve its unique cultural, linguistic, and religious traditions.

The history of Jews in Azerbaijan

Over the centuries, Jews have settled in different parts of Azerbaijan, with archaeological excavations in 1990 revealing the remains of a 7th-century Jewish settlement near Baku and a synagogue southeast of Quba. The arrival of Jews in Baku itself dates to the 1830s, with the community growing rapidly during the Oil Boom, which drew diverse people to the city.

Today, Jews in Azerbaijan consist of three distinct groups: Mountain Jews, Ashkenazi Jews, and Georgian Jews. Mountain Jews are the most sizable and ancient group, believed to have arrived in the region following the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king, in 586 BC. They are followed by the Ashkenazi Jews, who settled in Baku in the late 19th to early 20th centuries, and during World War II. The Georgian Jews, who settled mainly in Baku in the early 20th century, form the third group.

Azerbaijan has historically been a tolerant place for Jews, with the country currently hosting six to seven synagogues. Baku, the country's capital, is home to the vast majority of Azerbaijan's Jewish population, which numbers between 6,400 and 16,000 as of 2009. The Jewish community in Baku includes twice as many Mountain Jews as Ashkenazim and about 500 Jews of Georgian origin.

The Jewish community in Azerbaijan has experienced periods of growth and decline, with the Zionist movement flourishing in Baku during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, after the Sovietization of Azerbaijan, all Zionist activities were banned, and many Jewish immigrants chose to settle in Israel or the United States. As a result, the Jewish population in Azerbaijan has significantly decreased since the fall of Communism, with most Jews emigrating between 1989 and 2002.

Despite the decline in numbers, the Jewish community in Azerbaijan continues to thrive, with the establishment of the Azerbaijan Jewish Media Center in Sumgayit in 2020 and the opening of a new community center in Moscow's Sokolniki Park by the Association of Mountain Jews in 2020. The country also maintains strong bilateral relations with Israel, making Azerbaijan one of the few Muslim-majority countries with diplomatic ties to the Jewish state.

The synagogues in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is home to a rich Jewish heritage, with several monuments and synagogues across the country. The country has a long history of Jewish settlement, dating back to the 5th century BC. While the exact reasons for their arrival are debated, one theory suggests that indigenous Jews arrived following the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king, in 586 BC.

Today, there are an estimated 6,900 to 16,000 Jews living in Azerbaijan, with the majority residing in Baku, the country's capital. The Jewish community in Azerbaijan is diverse, consisting of three main subgroups: Mountain Jews, Ashkenazi Jews, and Georgian Jews.

The Synagogues of Azerbaijan

There are currently six to ten synagogues in Azerbaijan, depending on the source. Here is a list of some of the notable synagogues in the country:

• Synagogue of Ashkenazi Jews: Located in Baku, this synagogue was built in 1910 by the Ashkenazi community, who arrived in Baku in the early 19th century.
• Synagogue of Mountain Jews: This synagogue has been functioning since 1945 and is located in Baku. It underwent repair and restoration works during Azerbaijan's period of independence.
• European and Georgian Jews Synagogue: Also known as the "Alti Gumbaz" Synagogue, it was opened on March 9, 2003, in Baku. It is considered one of the largest synagogues in Europe.
• Gilaki Synagogue: Located in the Red Settlement in the Guba region, this synagogue was built by immigrants from the Gilan Province of Iran. It features the name of its architect, Gilel Ben Haim, engraved on its brick facade.
• Ashaghi Mahalla Synagogue: Also known as the Synagogue of the Upper Quarter, this synagogue is located in Oguz city and was built in 1849. It was used as a warehouse during the Soviet era but was restored by the local Jewish community in the 1990s.
• Yukhari Mahalla Synagogue: The Synagogue of the Lower Quarter is located in Oguz city and was built in 1897. Like the Ashaghi Mahalla Synagogue, it was also used as a warehouse during the Soviet era and was later restored by the local Jewish community.
• Kruei Synagogue: Located in Kuba, this synagogue was built in 1906.

In addition to these synagogues, there are also plans to restore ruined synagogues and establish a Museum of Mountain Jews in Girmizi Gasaba, the world's former all-Jewish town outside of Israel.

The Jewish community in Baku

Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is home to the vast majority of the country's Jewish population, which numbers approximately 7,200 people. The Jewish community in Baku has twice as many Mountain Jews as Ashkenazim and about 500 Jews from Georgia.

The history of the Jews in Azerbaijan dates back many centuries, with Jews first mentioned in Baku in the 13th century. The first Ashkenazi Jews settled in Baku in 1811, and by 1910, their steady immigration had led them to outnumber the local Mountain Jewish community. The Ashkenazim settled mostly in the booming oil-rich city of Baku. The Caspian-Black Sea Company, one of the leading oil companies in the Russian Empire, was established in Baku by Alphonse James de Rothschild, a member of the French branch of the Rothschild banking family.

The Museum of Mountain Jews

The museum, which opened in 2020, is the first and only museum in the world devoted to Mountain Jews. It is housed in a 19th-century synagogue that was closed during the Soviet occupation and later fell into disrepair. The building has a room height of more than 5 meters, is square in shape, and has had a second floor added to accommodate more exhibits. The basement houses a conference hall, a library, and a room for reserve exhibits.

The idea for the museum came from natives of the Red Village: God Nisanov, Zarakh Iliev, and German Zakharyaev. The International Charitable Fund "STMEGI", the largest organization uniting Mountain Jews worldwide, was responsible for creating the museum's concept and collecting exhibits. The museum features exhibits on the traditions, history, and occupations of the Mountain Jews living in Gyrmyzy Gasaba. There is also a corner dedicated to the National Hero of Azerbaijan, Albert Agarunov, where his medal is displayed.

Mountain Jews, who call themselves Juhur, have lived in the Caucasus region for centuries and are believed to be descended from the Lost Tribes that left Israel after the destruction of the First Temple in 587 BC. They are distinct from other Jewish groups such as the Ashkenazim and Georgians and have their own language, culture, and traditions. Mountain Jews are known for their steadfast adherence to their religion, incorporating elements of Jewish mysticism, or Kabbalah, into their practices. They are also known for their skill as warriors and horseback riders.

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