Jewish Kingdom in Arabia: Jewish History in Yemen

Jewish History in Yemen

http://jimenaexperience.org/yemen/about/culture/

There are many legends detailing the story of how the Jews came to settle in Yemen. Some believe that the Jews arrived in Yemen after receiving an order from King Solomon to search for gold and silver for the construction of the Temple, in 900 BCE. However, according to Yemenite tradition, it is believed that the Jews migrated to Yemen when they heard of the impending destruction of the First Temple in 629 BCE. Despite disagreement about when the Jews arrived in Yemen, there is no question about their long and illustrious history.

By the 900’s, Islam rose to power and allowed Jews freedom of religion in exchange for a poll tax. Jews were treated like second-class citizens and viewed as pariahs. In 1679 a large portion of the Jewish community was expelled from the region, only to be asked to return a year later when the economy in Yemen was suffering and the Jews had craftsmen and artisan skills which were needed. By 1700 there was resurgence in Jewish life in Yemen.

1882 marked the first wave of Jewish immigration to Palestine when conditions for the Jews started to worsen. An ancient Islamic law enforced in 1922, required all Jewish orphans under the age of 12 to be forcibly converted to Islam. Then in 1947 when the UN partition of Palestine was announced, a violent anti-Jewish pogrom spread through Aden, killing an estimated 82 Jews and destroying nearly of the Jewish shops, four synagogues, and over 200 homes. At this point the Jewish community became paralyzed by the loss. Therefore from 1949-50 nearly the entire Jewish Yemenite community was airlifted to Israel via Operation Magic Carpet. Civil war in 1962 prohibited any remaining Jews from leaving Yemen, although a few managed to escape anyway. By 2005 there were less than 200 Jews living in Yemen.

Culture

Jews lived in Yemen for nearly 3,000 years, predating the Arab Islamic conquests by centuries, yet today fewer than 200 remain. Indigenous Jewish communities in Yemen emigrated in waves sighting various reasons for their departure. The unique culture of Yemenite Jews has been carried to countries around the world, and exists today in its delicious culinary traditions, its beautiful philigree silverwork, and its ancient spiritual and artistic Jewish practices. Despite cultural relics that Yemenite Jews have been able to preserve and share, with displacement came the endangerment of the authentic heritage of Yemenite Jews.

For this reason, JIMENA works to ensure that the cultural heritage of Yemenite Jews, and all Mizrahi and Sephardi Jews, will survive to benefit future generations. We have been leading unique Cultural Outreach Programming since our establishment in 2001, giving Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews a platform to celebrate and share their rich culture with diverse audiences throughout North America. JIMENA is dedicated to preserving and sharing Mizrahi and Sephardi culture through traditional celebrations, festivals, lectures, and cultural celebrations.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Yemen/@15.3699598,39.1366393,5z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x1603dbac7c34bc5f:0x92f129377eae77ae!8m2!3d15.552727!4d48.516388?hl=en

Timeline - Jews in Yemen

900’s BCE

Some believe Jews arrive in Yemen after King Solomon sends Jewish merchant marines to prospect for gold and silver to use in the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem.

629 BCE

According to Yemenite tradition, Jews migrate to Yemen when they hear of the impeding destruction of the First Temple.

200’s

Immigration of the majority of the Jews to Yemen.

518

Jewish rule in Yemen.

900’s

As Islam rises to power in Yemen, Jews are assured freedom of religion in exchange for payment of the poll tax, which is imposed on all non-Muslims. Jews are treated as pariahs, and second-class citizens.

1679

Part of the Jewish community in Yemen is expelled. Many die from disease and starvation. A year later, surviving Jews are brought back to Yemen because their expertise as craftsmen and artisans which is needed for economic purposes.

1700’s

Resurgence of Jewish life in Yemen.

1872

Turks take over Yemen and the conditions for the Jews improves.

1882

First wave of Jewish immigration to Palestine begins.

1922

Government of Yemen implements an ancient Islamic law requiring all Jewish orphans under age 12 to be forcibly converted to Islam.

1947

Bloody pogrom riot in Aden following the British Mandate of Palestine. 82 Jews killed and hundreds of homes destroyed. Aden’s Jewish community becomes economically paralyzed because of the destroyed stores and businesses.

1949-1950

Emigration of virtually entire Yemenite Jewish community via airlift during Operation Magic Carpet to Israel due to the perilous situation in Yemen.

1962

Civil war in Yemen puts an abrupt halt on Jewish emigration.

2005

200 Jews remain.

Food

: Hawaij – وصفة الحوايج

: Hilbeh

: Jachnun – جحنون

: Kubaneh

: Lahuhua (Sponge Bread)

: Malawach

: Yemenite Chicken Soup

: Green Skhug

: Yemenite Haroset

Videos

Music

Click here to listen to Yemenite music

Personal Stories

Of the 60,000 Jews who left Yemen in the last century, each one carries with them a unique collection of memories and stories that have all too often been left untold. Aspects of Yemenite culture have been passed down to second and third generation Israeli immigrants, yet the language, folkloric knowledge, and artistic traditions are endanger of extinction. With each passing day, another authentic memory of Jewish life in Yemen vanishes and another story is permanently lost. The rich splendor of Yemenite Jewry must be documented before it is too late.

JIMENA was created to preserve and share the personal stories, communal histories, and rich culture of Jews from Arab countries. Since our inception, we have been documenting the detailed histories and sometimes painful testimonies of Mizrahi and Sephardi Jews. Our archives are continuously growing and we are committed to continue collecting as many stories as we can.

Here you will find a sampling of personal stories from some of JIMENA’s Yemenite members. If you are interested in preserving your personal and familial story, or delving further into the histories of Jews who fled Yemen and other Arab countries, we encourage you to contact our office. JIMENA’s Oral History library includes transcripts, unedited video footage, books, and copies of documents. We are also happy to connect you to North African and Middle Eastern Jews for speaking engagements, research, and interviews.