Curaçao’s Continuous Cross-Century Chanukiah

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Which holiday traditions mean the most to you? 

When it comes to celebrating the Jewish holidays, one of the most important aspects is tradition. Every holiday has its own foods, rituals, and practices. These traditions are a way to explore our past while preparing for our future. Tradition ensures that the history, culture, and legacy of the Jewish people live on. 

An incredible instance  of a tradition that has  endured throughout the ages can be found on the island of Curacao. Here, one can see a Hanukkah Menorah that has been used every year for over three centuries. 

Congregation Mikve Israel-Emanuel on Curaçao has the honor of housing the oldest continuously used hanukkiah/Hanukkah menorah in the world. It was first lit in 1716 and has been used every year since then, over 300 years of holiday celebrations.

The menorah was donated to the Jewish community of Curaçao in 1716 by Jacob Yesurun Henriques. It bears the inscription “In the year, ‘beaten for the light’ to kindle an eternal flame,” consecrated by Jacob de Ephraim Jesurun Henriques to the Holy Congregation of Mikve Israel.

The menorah is made of ceremonial silver, crafted by Dutch silversmith Pieter Van Hoven from Amsterdam. It is inlaid with floral and leaf motifs, a popular style at the time and a particular specialty of Van Hoven. Silver working was an incredibly popular craft across Europe in the 1700s and Congregation Mikve Israel-Emanuel has an assortment of impressive examples of this artform. Furthermore, the menorah is unique for its use of oil lights instead of candles.

In 1703, the Jews of Curaçao established a new synagogue in the city of Wilemstad. It was later demolished in 1730 to make room for an even bigger one. In 1732, temple Mikve Israel was completed and remains the oldest, continuously operating synagogue in the Americas. Their menorah serves as a reminder of the congregation’s origins, as it was used both in the new and the old synagogue. 

During Hanukkah, the menorah is hung on the synagogue’s southern wall. Originally, it was hung on a simple hook, but as the decades passed, additional platforms and supports were built to secure the menorah and prevent it from falling. 

During the rest of the year, the menorah rests in a display case in the Jewish Cultural Historical Museum for all to witness and enjoy. When the holiday arrives, however, it is placed back in its special space so it can again illuminate the synagogue for eight nights . Throughout the holiday, the synagogue upholds a tradition of reserving the menorah-lighting for the children. Additionally, families are encouraged to bring their own menorahs to light in the synagogue, resulting in a cross-congregation symphony of lights. 

It is truly heartwarming  to see a community carry on such a beautiful tradition for so long. By coming together as a community to light the same menorah year after year, the Jews of Curaçao are both literally and figuratively shining an eternal light, cutting through the darkness, and carrying on the tradition of their people. 

Further reading:

You can learn about the world’s oldest etrog and the lessons you can learn from it here.

You can read more about the history of the Jews of Curaçao here.

You find my recipe for Curaçao style charoset here.

You can watch me talk about the incredible Jewish community in Curaçao here:

Andy MSC Divina

Andy disembarking from the Divina

I would like to give a special acknowledgement to the MSC Divina. September 2019, I disembarked from the Divina to go to the Great Synagogue of Rome. In March 2020, I went from the ship to see the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue in Curaçao. Truly the ship lives up to its divine namesake, helping me to see some of the most historic, spiritual, and moving synagogues in the world all while providing unmatched hospitality. I can’t wait to see what wonders the MSC Divina will take me to next!

A Pelican Pass Over

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Birds have always been something of great importance to me and my family. My mother (of blessed memory) had an avid interesting in birdwatching  which you can read more about here. Of all the birds in the world, the one that means the most to me is the pelican.

My mom’s nickname for me was “pelican”. In 1985, my mom said that my middle initial “P” was not only for Philip but also for “Pelican”. My mom said I was like a pelican because the pelican is the only bird that can bite off more than it can chew and handle it.

The pelican is a weird and wonderful bird. Poet Dixon Lanier Merritt put it best with his famous words:

Oh, a wondrous bird is the pelican!

His beak holds more than his belican.

He takes in his beak

Food enough for a week.

But I’ll be darned if I know how the helican.

Not only does the pelican have special significance to me, this incredible bird has special significance to the State of Israel.

The Great White Pelican migrates from Eastern Europe and Asia to Southern Africa each year. Their migration route takes them through the Middle East and Israel. Throughout the 1900s coastal swamps and wetlands have been drained or dried out across the pelicans’ migration route in Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon. This loss of water sources combined with other Middle Eastern countries encouraging pelicans to be shot has driven the more and more of the pelicans to avoid these countries and fly through Israel.

This might seem like a harmless animal fact, but if left to their own appetites these pelicans could over consume fish from local fisheries and breeding grounds. This could devastate the environment and destroy Israeli pisciculture. In order to prevent this from happening Israel’s Nature and Parks Authority and the Ministry of Agriculture stepped in with a program to feed the pelicans themselves. During the three-month period in the fall when the pelicans are migrating the birds are given meals 3-4 times a week at the Bahan Reservoir in the Mediterranean lowlands. Each year 200 tons of fish are eaten by the over 75,000 pelicans that stop in Israel. Once they feed, the Pelicans resume their journey southward.

Pelicans

The forward thinking of the Nature and Parks Authority and the Ministry of Agriculture has helped protect the local ecosystem and fishing industry, but it had another benefit: the opportunity for incredible bird watching. Birders of all levels can enjoy the spectacle of tens of thousands of pelicans joining together for this feast of fish.

By feeding the pelicans the Israeli government has ensured that the birds get the food to sustain their migration, the local ecosystem remains vital, fish farmers can stay in business, and avian enthusiasts across the globe can enjoy spectacular sight. This is truly win, win, win, win. All in a day’s work for the persistent, precocious, and playful pelican.

Further Reading:

You can read more about Israel’s feeding of the pelicans here and here.

You can view the incredible sight of this pelican feeding frenzy yourself in this memorable videos:

Pelican Peace Project And The Sign From Pelicans From Professor Leshem

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Given my relationships in the Gulf and Middle East for the past 20 plus years, I created a Pelican Peace Project to bring together my friends from Bahrain, Israel, and UAE to create community and commerce and demonstrate the possibilities of the Abraham Peace Accords. On Friday November 13th, 2020, I am leaving for the UAE to lead my first Pelican Peace Project Peace Mission.

What a delightful surprise to receive the following email and videos from Professor Yossi Leshem the day before my trip:

Dear Friends,

Since the draining of the Hula Valley in the 1950’s, the draining  of coastal swamps during the previous century, and the drying out of water sources along the pelican migration route in Turkey, Syria and Lebanon, Pelicans are fed in Israel reservoirs, in the Mediterranean lowlands.

They are fed with fish purchased by the Nature and Parks Authority and the Ministry of Agriculture. about 200 tons of fish every fall for the 50,000 migratory pelicans.

Once they feed, the Pelicans can continue to migrate to the swamps in south Sudan.

I am sending a presentation of a feeding in Bahan Reservoir:  https://bit.ly/2ItIK6A

In addition, a number of videos, so that you will can enjoy the impressive feeding:

  1. https://bit.ly/36iwVIb
  2. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VCy_Kf7Otpw
  3. https://youtu.be/jVSMKMY20R0

Best regards, Keep safe,

Yossi Leshem

Professor Yossi Leshem is a Senior Researcher in the Department of Zoology in the Faculty of Life Sciences at Tel Aviv University and is the founder and Director of the International Center for the Study of Bird Migration at Latrun, Israel. He has worked at the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) as a guide, as Director of a Field Study Center, as Head of the Nature Protection Department, Initiator and Director of the Israel Raptor Information Center, as Executive Director and as the Chairman of the SPNI Council. He has been involved with many aspects of nature conservation and bird research. He has partnered with the Israeli Air Force on numerous occasion, saving lives and money by decrease the number of aircraft collisions cased by birds by 76%. He won the Mike Kuhring Prize for his achievements and research in 2005.

My mother (of blessed memory) Myra Yellin Outwater Goldfarb had met Professor Yossi Leshem a number of years ago as part of a bird watching and preservation conference in Israel. She wrote an incredibly moving article on the experience that you can read about here. Yossi Leshem spoke at my mom’s memorial service in NYC in November 2016.

His timely message of pelicans in the Holy Land is a blessing and a sign of more blessings to come thanks to the Pelican Peace Project.

Breaking Matzo’s Virtual Succot: October 5th, 2020

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On October 5th, 2020 I held a virtual Succot celebration with my daughters Caroline and Lucy, live on Zoom. It was a magically fun time and a meaningful memory I will cherish forever. In addition to spiritually stimulating discussion we show you how to make a fun craft and a tasty holiday treat. You can see our virtual Succot celebration below.

What is the Meaning of the Shofar?

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One of the highlights of the Jewish New Year is witnessing the blowing of the shofar. As congregants surround the shofar, the sound inspires celebration, jubilation, and unification. But what is a shofar and what is the deeper meaning behind its blowing? 

On Rosh Hashanah, we commemorate the creation of the world, which also represents the coronation of G-d. Just as a trumpet is often sounded in honor of a king’s coronation, the shofar is sounded to honor and acknowledge G-d’s role as king of the universe. 

The shofar is a trumpet-like instrument made from a hollowed out ram’s horn. The shofar is blown during the daylight hours of both days of Rosh Hashanah. The sound made by blowing into the shofar is referred to as a blast. There are three different blasts used in ritual shofar blowing. The Tekiah is one long blast, the Shevarim is three shorter blasts, and the Teruah is nine or more very brief blasts. 

The use of a ram’s horn also symbolizes the ram that Abraham offered as a sacrifice to God in lieu of his son, Isaac. This example of the heroism and faith of our forefathers encourages us to strive for the same. Furthermore, the great resonance of the shofar reminds us to remain humble in the face of God’s glory, as well as the inevitable promise of Judgement Day, in which we will be evaluated based on our deeds. It reminds us that God is the source of all life, but also has control over our deaths. In this context, the shofar signals the eventual coming of the Messiah. 

In the context of Rosh Hashanah, however, there is also a more solemn meaning behind the shofar. As we listen, we enter The Ten Days of Repentance. During this time, we take responsibility for our actions and make a promise to ourselves and God to act more righteously in the coming year. This period ends on Yom Kippur, when we again rejoice upon the sounding of the shofar. 

While these are the typical explanations for the symbolism of the shofar, there are several other meanings. The shofar is representative of the calls of the biblical prophets who called upon the Jewish people to become better in the service of God. The shofar also evokes the freedom we gained when we returned to the Holy Land, the destruction of the Temple, and the need to keep fighting for its renewal. 

The following is a video of my Rosh Hashanah dinner, during which I sounded the shofar.

Thriving in the Desert: Bahrain’s Magical Tree of Life

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The remote deserts of Bahrain are a hot and inhospitable place. It is not the sort of habitat where you would expect life to survive, let alone thrive. Against the odds, thriving is exactly what one magical tree has done.

Growing in a flat and desolate part of desert, the Tree of Life or Sharajat-al-Hayat has prospered. This mesquite tree has grown over 32-feet-tall despite there being no discernable source of water for it to draw from. According to local history the tree was planted in 1583 and has thrived in the over 400 years since.

Scientists have been baffled by the tree’s survival. Mesquite trees can store a large amount of water, but they still need a source of water to grow. No one has been able to locate this source and no scientific explanations for the Tree of Life’s survival have been proven.

Some believe that the tree sits on the spot where the Garden of Eden once stood. The lingering power of the primal paradise feeding life into the tree. Others believe that the tree is under the protection of the ancient water god Enki, who protects and sustains it.

The tree is a symbol of hope and pride to the entire country of Bahrain. Just like the tree, the people of Bahrain have thrived and flourished in the island’s deserts.

It offers more than just symbolic benefits as well. The tree’s resin is turned into candles and gum, while its beans are used to make jams and wines. The spot where the tree stands is also full of historic treasures, In 2010 archaeologist founds 500-year-old artifacts in the area around the tree.

The tree’s natural majesty and incredible story draw tens of thousands of tourists each year. Sadly, these crowds have drawn bad actors as well and the tree frequently suffers damage from vandals. Recently the government of Bahrain installed an iron fence to protect the tree, preserving this fantastic landmark for future generations to enjoy.

Fun Fact: The Tree of Life was referenced by Steve Martin’s character in the film L.A. Story in which he calls it one of the three most mystical places on earth.

The History of Jews in Bahrain

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The island nation of Bahrain has a rich history and its Jewish community has played an important role in. Today, Bahrain has proven to be one of the Arab nations most tolerant of Jews. It is one of the only Arab nations with a synagogue and has Jewish government members.

There has been a Jewish presence in the region for more than a thousand years. There are references to Jews living in the region of modern-day Bahrain in the Talmud as well as other ancient Arabic texts. There are also records of more than 5,000 Jews living in the area during the 1100s, working predominately in the local pearling industry. 

The fate of these ancient Jewish communities is obscure, as the next recorded instance of Jews living in Bahrain occurs in the 1880s. The Jewish Yadgar family were Iraqi traders who moved to the area, settling in Bahrain. They formed a community there, and other families followed. The Yadgar family became major figures in the textile trade and, another Jewish family, the Nonoos, emerged as leadersin the banking industry. The Jewish community built and consecrated a small synagogue in Manama. Upwards of 1,500 Jews called Bahrain home. Jewish businesses were concentrated on Al-Mutanabi Road which was colloquially known as “Jews’ Street” where the shops all closed for Shabbat.

After World War II, anti-British and anti-semitic beliefs began taking hold within Bahrain. On December 5th 1947, violent riots started in Manama in response to the fervor over the Palestinian situation. The mob of rioters looted Jewish businesses and homes, destroyed the city’s synagogue, attacked Jews, and murdered at least one person. There are claims that many of the rioters were foriegn Muslims and not Bahrain natives. In response to the violence, most of Bahrain’s Jews left behind everything and evacuated to Bombay. From there, they settled in Israel and the United Kingdom. This event took a massive toll on Bahrain’s Jewish community, and by 1950 the number of Jews living in the country had dropped to under 500.

In 1967, after the Six-Day War, riots began anew and the vast majority of the Jewish community emigrated out of the country. By the 2000s there were fewer than 50 Jews living in the entirety of Bahrain.

While the Jewish community of Bahrain is small today, they are a thriving part of the middle class, active in both business and politics. The prominence of Jews in Bahrain has been spearheaded by the tolerance of the Bahraini leader King Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa. In 2004, Bahrain stopped boycotting Israeli products as part of a free-trade agreement with the USA.

Furthermore, several Jews have served important roles in Bahrain’s politics. Jewish businessman Ebrahim Daoud Nonoo was made a member of the Shura Council, Bahrain’s upper house of parliament in 2000. In 2005, his cousin Houda Ezra Nonoo took his seat in parliament. Houda would also serve as Bahrain’s ambassador to the United States from 2008 to 2013. In 2010, Nancy Kedouri, a Jewish author, was appointed to fill in Ms. Nonoo’s seat in parliament. 

In 2015, the King of Bahrain officially celebrated Hanukkah with Jews and Muslims together. The director of the Conference of European Rabbis, Rabbi Moshe Levin alongside 50 other Jews joined the king for a candle lighting ceremony. It was the first gathering of its kind since the establishment of the state of Israel.

The Bahrain Synagogue 

Bahrain is one of the only Arab countries on the Arabian gulf with a synagogue. Bahrain’s synagogue is located on Sasa’ah Avenue, Manama in a commercial district. The building was constructed in the 1930s. It was ransacked and burned in 1947. The synagogue underwent substantial renovation in 1996.

There is also a Jewish cemetery that is regularly maintained. Due to the small size of the Jewish community the synagogue has gone through periods of use and disuse. The Jewish community of Bahrain has no rabbi, so religious services must be held with visiting rabbis or be conducted abroad. For many years the synagogue did not have a Torah scroll until Jared Kushner gifted one to the king of Bahrain in 2019. 

In September of 2020, the leaders of Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and the United states signed the Abraham Accords. This historic peace agreement normalized relations between the Arab countries and Israel. It opened routes for collaboration, trade, and travel between Israel and Bahrain. This remarkable diplomatic achievement is just the first step towards a greater peace and unity to come.

Peak Jewish Population in Bahrain: 1,500 in 1947

Current Jewish Population in Bahrain: 36

Further Reading:

You can read more about the history of Jews in Bahrain here.

Here is a link to an article about how Bahrain has embraced its Jewish community.

You can read an interview with Jewish author and politician Nancy Khedouri about the history of the Jews in Bahrain here.

You can read a fascinating piece about Jewish politician and ambassador Houda Nonoo here.

You can read about the history and achievements of the entire Nonoo family here.

You can read a first person perspective of the first minyan held in Manama in 70 years here.

Shabbat in Shanghai: A Personal Account of Jewish Refuges in China

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Jews have had a long history in China. Jewish settlers have been documented in China as early as the 7th or 8th century CE. Many more arrived as refugees from the Russian Revolution of 1917. A surge of European Jews and Jewish families arrives in the late 1930s and 1940s, seeking refuge from the Holocaust in Europe.

I had the unique opportunity to sit down with Franklin Gerechter and discuss his family’s migration from Eastern Europe to Shanghai.

In 1916, Franklin’s mother, Ruth, was born in Madenu, East Prussia. She lived with her parents and sister in a small community with a population of 500. Her parents owned the local department store there. In 1936 they left Germany, moving from Italy to Japan until they finally settled in Shanghai in 1943.

In 1907, Franklin’s father, Gerhard, was born in Berlin. His father was a doctor and very active in German politics and police administration. Around 1933, Gerhard left Germany and lived in France and South America, before returning to Europe. He left Europe again and settled in Japan from 1939-1943. He lived in Kobe and married with one daughter, Eva. He also became active in helping Jews escape Germany via Japan.

In 1941, however, Gerhard’s wife died. A few years later, in 1943, he would leave Japan and went to China. There he met Ruth in Shanghai. Their wedding certificate was printed in Chinese.

In Shanghai, Gerhard worked to send information to the Allies regarding the German plot to deport Jews who lived there. He also spied on Jews who gave information to the Germans in exchange for favorable treatment in Shanghai.

Ruth and Gerhard were far from the only Jews living in Shanghai at the time. Several famous Jews also called China home. The artist, Peter Max, was a child in Shanghai, as was the former Treasury Sect. under President Carter, William Blumenthal.

In 1947, Ruth and Gerhard were able to obtain a sponsor and move to Paterson, New Jersey. Later, Franklin would be born in New York. At the same time, Ruth’s sister’s family was living in Shanghai, but was unable to get a sponsor for entrance into the United States (which was required under the Jewish quotas that existed at the time). As a result, they were sent to Chile, where they lived until 1965, before coming to the USA.

Both Ruth and Gerhard have passed away – Gerhard in 1977 in New York, and Ruth in 2002 in Los Angeles. Their story is a testament to the unwavering resilience and strength of the Jewish people.

The Top Tourist Sites to Visit in Bahrain

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What is your favorite trip you have taken? Why is that trip so special to you?

Bahrain offers a wide range of fun and memorable experiences for visitors to enjoy. Here are some of the top sites and attractions for tourists visiting Bahrain.

  1. Bahrain National Museum, Manama: This massive museum was opened in 1988 and has become the most popular tourist destination in all of Bahrain. The museum focuses on the history of Bahrain, with an extensive collection of artifacts across the centuries from the many groups that have called the land home. The museum also has rotating galleries and exhibits, so there’s always something new to see.
  2. Royal Camel Farms, Janabiyah: This camel preservation was set up by the late king of Bahrain Sheik Mohammad in order to ensure the species would continue to live in the country. Camels are of deep cultural significance to Bahrain. The wealthiest and most prestigious of the country’s families own camels at the Royal Farm. That being said, all are welcome to see the hundreds of camels that live here.Camel Farm
  3. Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir: Sports fans will love this motor-sports venue that holds a variety of events. The course is used for drag racing, the GP2 series, and the annual Bahrain Grand Prix. It opened in 2004 and that year hosted the first Grand Prix in the Middle East. Racers from all around the world have competed in this arena.
  4. Shawarma Alley, Manama: This block is a little slice of heaven for foodies. The block is lined with stalls, carts, and shops selling a variety of street foods, with Shawarma being the main specialty. It is home to some of the best shawarma makers in the country like Zahlawiya Restaurant and Haifa Cafeteria.
  5. The Gold Souq, Manama: Souqs are a type of Arabic open air market. The Gold Souq was founded over 200 years ago by Indian immigrants to Bahrain. Many of the stalls are still run by the descendants of these immigrants. The souq is considered to be one of the most reasonably priced places to buy golden jewelry. In addition to a great shopping experience, visitors can watch the goldsmiths at work.
  6. Jabal ad Dukhan: Also known as the Mountain of Smoke it is the highest point in Bahrain peaking at 122 miles above sea level. It got its name from a haze that surrounds the mountain on humid days. It is riddled with caves, many of which have yet to be explored. Those that brave the hike up are rewarded with a stunning view of the desert and coast.
  7. Bahrain World Trade Center, Manama: The two 50 story buildings that make up the Bahrain World Trade Center are feats of cutting-edge architecture. The two towers are connected by three sky bridges, each one fitted with a massive wind turbine. These turbines generate sustainable energy that helps to power the building. It is the first skyscraper to integrate wind turbines into its design. Inside is hotel space, restaurants, a business center, a health club, and more.
  8. Al-Areen Wildlife Park Sakhir: This is a nature reserve and a zoo. It is the only protected land in the country. It was established in 1976 and focuses on animals native to Bahrain, though some animals from Africa and Asia are also present. The park also features 100,000 different species of plants.
  9. The Avenues, Manama: The Avenues is a large waterfront shopping center opened in 2017. It was made as a joint venture between partners in Bahrain and Kuwait. It features a variety of shops, gardens, public parks, restaurants, arcades, a jogging track, and more.
  10. National Theatre of Bahrain, Manama: Opened in 2012 this waterside theatre is one of the largest in the Middle East. It has massive main auditorium that can seat over a thousand people and a smaller studio theatre space. It proudly hosts performances by some of the world’s finest artists and holds cultural activities as well.
  11. Jerada: While this looks like a beautiful desert island it is really a tidal sandspit. When the tide is low Jerada is visible and can be walked upon and enjoyed, but when the tide rises the entire sandspit is submerged beneath the oceans. The pristine sand and crystal clear water, alongside its geological uniqueness make Jerada a truly magical place to visit.

The Top Religious, Cultural, and Historic Sites to Visit in Bahrain

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What places do you consider most holy and special? Why?

The nation of Bahrain is home to a variety of sites of great historical and cultural value. The region has been inhabited for thousands of years by many different cultures. There are holy sites to multiple religions, natural wonders, and historical places that can be experienced when visiting Bahrain.

  1. Al-Fateh Grand Mosque, Manama: This beautiful mosque is one of the largest in the world. It was built in 1987 in honor of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Muhammad Bin Khalifa. It was constructed from materials from all around the world, with marble from Italy, glass from Austria, and wood from India. In 2006 the National Library of Bahrain was moved inside the mosque, where thousands of rare books are held.
  2. Al Khamis Mosque, Manama: This is the oldest mosque in Bahrain, initially constructed in 692, it has been rebuilt several times throughout the centuries. Its signature feature is a pair of identical minarets.
  3. Siydai Mosque, Muharraq: This mosque is part of the Siyadi complex, a group of buildings constructed by Bahrain’s most influential family of pearl merchants. They constructed the mosque in 1865, it has elaborate decorations typical for the pearling era of Bahrain. The mosque is part of the Bahrain pearling trail, a noted UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  4. Bahrain Synagogue, Manama: Bahrain is one of the only Arab countries in the Persian Gulf that has a synagogue. The synagogue is a small unmarked building in a commercial district. It was built in the early 1900s to serve the small Jewish community in Bahrain. The Jewish community peaked at 1,500 and has diminished to only a handful. At times the synagogue fell into disuse, but in recent years has seen it being used again.
  5. Saint Christopher’s Cathedral, Manama: This Awali Anglican Church was built in 1953. Anglicans first came to Bahrain as part of missionary trips in the 1860s. The community slowly grew, and they eventually secured the money and resources to build a church. In the 1980s the church was elevated to the rank of cathedral.
  6. Matam Ajam Al Kabeer Mosque, Manama: This beautiful mosque blends Persian and Arabian architectural. The outside of the mosque is covered in blue tiles inscribed with quotes from the Quran.
  7. Qal’at al Bahrain/the Fort of Bahrain, Karbabad: This archaeological site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This area of the site was occupied from 2300 BC to the 1500s AD, different civilizations literally building on top of each other. The oldest constructions were mounds built by the ancient Dilmun empire, the most recent is that actual fort itself which was made by the Portuguese. The site was also occupied by the Greeks, Kassites, and Persians. Antiquities uncovered here have offered important historical information on eras as far back as the bronze age.
  8. The Tree of Life: Also known as the Sharajat-al-Hayat this 32-foot-tall mesquite tree has thrived in the middle of a remote desert. Despite there being no visible water source, this tree has lived for over 400 years. There is no definitive explanation of how the tree has been able to survive. Some believe that the ancient god Enki protects it while others say it marks the spot of what was once the Garden of Eden.
  9. Barbar Temple, Barbar: The ruins of several ancient temples have been found in the village of Barbar. The ruins range in age from 3000 BC to 2000 BC. They are believed to be part of the ancient Dilmun culture. The temples contained multiple altars and had natural water springs. It is believed that they were constructed to worship Enki, the god of wisdom and fresh water.
  10. Bab Al Bahrain, Manama: This building is located at the entrance to the main souq (market) in Manama. The building was constructed in 1949 and once served as the offices of many of the city’s government agencies. The building’s most famous feature is the double archway through which visitors can access the sprawling marketplace.