The Infinite Light of the Menorah Shines From the World’s Tallest Building

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On September 15th, 2020, a historic peace agreement, the Abraham Accord, was signed by four countries: Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Israel and the United States.

On December 10th, 2020, history was made again when Dubai hosted the first Hanukkah celebration since the signing of the Abraham Accord.

This momentous celebration was held at an equally grand location: the Burj Khalifa. Towering over the city, the Burj Khalifa stands as the tallest building in the world.

The event was hosted by Rabbi Levi Duchman, a prominent Jewish figure in the UAE. The night featured prayers, speeches, musical performances, a candle lighting, and much jubilation. The most stunning part of the celebration occurred when the façade of the collosal Burj Khalifa lit up in a spectacular show of blue and white, in honor of the occasion.

Every year, we look to the shining light of the Hanukkah menorah as a symbol of hope and peace. This year, that hope became a reality. The light of togetherness and peace burns brighter than ever before – a light that welcomes the people of all nations to join together in peace and brotherhood.

You can watch a video of this magical and historic Hanukkah celebration here.

Further Reading: 

You can read more about this incredible celebration here.

You can read more about the Abraham Accords here.

You can read about a different historic Hanukkah celebration in Bahrain here.

Breaking Matzo’s Virtual Hanukkah: December 10th, 2020

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On December 10th, 2020 I held a virtual Hanukkah celebration with my daughters Caroline and Lucy, live on Zoom. It was a magically fun time and a meaningful way to help shine the light of Hanukkah into the dark of winter. In addition to spiritually stimulating discussion, we go over how to make a variety of tasty latkes and how to play dreidel. You can see our virtual Hanukkah celebration below.

Spectacular Synagogues: El Ghriba Synagogue

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I recently visited Ras Al Khaimah and met a friend from Tunisia who told me about the amazing El Ghriba Synagogue and inspired me to write this blog.

Throughout the world, there are a variety of synagogues with unique, impressive, and incredible features.  This includes the Mikve Israel Emanuel Synagogue on the island of Curaçao, Hungary’s Dohány Street Synagogue and the Great Synagogue of Rome. I’d like to talk about another magnificent synagogue still operating today: El Ghriba Synagogue in Tunisia.

El Ghriba Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in Tunisia and one of the oldest in the world.  Also known as Djerba Synagogue, it is located on the island of Djerba.  The Jewish community has deep roots in Djerba. It is said Jews have lived there for over 2,500 years. El Ghriba is located in what was once the Jewish village of Hara Seghira and is now known as er-Riadh. There are several other synagogues and prayer houses on Djerba, but only El Ghriba holds the Torah. This was purposely done to preserve the synagogue’s place as the center of Jewish life on the island. El Ghriba means “the marvelous” or “the strange” in Arabic, a moniker that refers to the synagogue’s storied origins.

There are several stories of how the synagogue was founded in the 500s BCE. The exact details have been lost to history and a variety of legends surround the temple.

One of these legends is that the high priest Tzadok and other Israeli rabbis fled to Djerba after the destruction of the first temple in Jerusalem. These holy men brought with them a stone from the first temple and used it in the construction of El Ghriba Synagogue. Some say this sacred stone was incorporated into the synagogue’s floor, others that it is a part of the entrance archway.

Another legend says that a holy rock fell from the heavens and landed in Djerba where a mysterious woman appeared and had the synagogue constructed.

Another story is that a deeply religious woman named El Ghriba lived alone on the land where the synagogue now stands. One day her house caught fire and she perished, but her body did not burn or rot. The local Jews saw this as a miracle and a sign and built the synagogue there in honor of this holy woman.

One final legend says that a Jewish refugee fled Israel with a Torah scroll from the temple in Jerusalem. Upon reaching Djebar she died of exhaustion and El Ghriba synagogue was built on the spot she perished.

While the exact origins of the synagogue aren’t known, what is known is that the original synagogue was destroyed in the 1500s by the Spanish during a military incursion into Tunisia. A new synagogue was constructed in the late 1800s and has been used since.

El Ghriba Synagogue’s importance is not just in its history, but in its modern-day relevance as well. Every year thousands Jews from all over the world make a pilgrimage to the synagogue during a multi-day festival centered on the holiday of Lag BaOmer. These pilgrims are welcomed not only by Djerba’s Jewish population, but residents of all religions and creeds. The pilgrims visit El Ghriba synagogue to pray, light candles and give alms. It is the only occasion each year where men and women are not separated at the synagogue.

There is a local tradition that visitors write down their wishes on eggs and leave them on the floor. In particular unmarried women write their names on these eggs which are left to cook in the heat of the synagogue’s many candles. The cooked eggs are returned to the women who eat them, ensuring they will soon be wed.

Furthermore, each year as part of the pilgrimage two large processions are held. Participants push a large wheeled chandelier that is draped in colorful veils. It is referred to as the arusa or “the betrothed” due the veils’ similarity to bridal veils. The procession is full of dancing and music. It is meant to resemble a wedding ceremony, but instead of celebrating the bond between two people it celebrates the bond between the people of Israel and God.

The synagogue’s exterior is modest but inside it is built with the intricate details and colorful designs of the Tunisian and Moorish styles. The walls are lined with tiles and adorned with hand painted blue ornaments. Originally the synagogue had 12 windows, one for each of the tribes of Israel. However, due to expansions and reconstruction the building now has additional windows. Some of the interior columns inside the temple have been left incomplete. This is done purposely; nothing is perfect except for divinity so it was decided that the synagogue would always be left incomplete. Originally there were both an open and an enclosed prayer area, but the open area was later enclosed in part of a renovation to accommodate having more people in the synagogue. Now there are two main halls, one is a prayer hall and the other contains the Torah itself.

El Ghriba synagogue is a monument to the deep history of the Jewish people and their strength to endure through the centuries. It is also a symbol of hope for the future. The Jews and Muslims of Djerba have lived together peacefully for centuries. They stand as a shining example of peace and brotherhood that the rest of the world should strive for. El Gribha Synagogue is a place of history, celebration, faith and joy. Truly it is a sensational synagogue.

Fun Facts:

The Jews of the island of Djerba wear a black band around their pants, symbolizing the destruction of the first temple in Jerusalem.

It is believed that Djerba is featured in Homer’s Odyssey where it is referred to as “The Land of the Lotus Eaters”

Further Reading:

You can read more about the annual pilgrimage to Djerba and the incredible interfaith celebrations that ensues here.

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.

You can watch a video about one of Bahrain’s oldest Jewish communities here.