“Without memory, there is no culture. Without memory, there would be no civilisation, no society, no future.”
Elie Wiesel
Shalom!
Recently, I found myself in a heated argument with a fellow Afghan on social media. The ‘anonymous’ person in question was calling me ignorant and a fool with a one-sided view of things. It was the typical back-and-forth until I asked him a simple question:
“What happened to the Jews of the Middle East and especially the thousands of Jews in Afghanistan?”
His response shocked me.
He said, “There were never any Jews in Afghanistan.”
That was the moment I realized how little we know about our own history. So, I decided to dig deeper and share what I found.
Why does this matter? Because forgetting this part of history is like erasing a piece of Afghanistan’s identity.
It’s perhaps hard to imagine, but centuries ago, Afghanistan was a cultural crossroads.
Jews first came to what is now called Afghanistan in the seventh or eighth centuries BCE following the first biblical exile at the hands of the Assyrians. They were merchants, scholars, and community leaders. The cities of Herat and Kabul were home to vibrant Jewish communities that contributed significantly to the social and economic life of the region.
The Herat synagogue, built in the 14th century, stands as a silent witness to a once-thriving community. This wasn’t just a place of worship; it was a center of Jewish life, filled with celebrations, rituals, and community gatherings. Today, it’s a crumbling relic, barely remembered by the locals.
The Beginning of the End
Life for Afghan Jews took a dark turn in the late 19th century under the rule of Abdur Rahman Khan. His reign marked the beginning of systemic discrimination against Jews and other minorities, mainly Hazaras. Many Jews fled to Iran, India, and later to Israel and the United States. This exodus continued through the 20th century, particularly after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.
By the mid-20th century, the Jewish population in Afghanistan had shrunk to a few hundred. The establishment of Israel provided a new homeland for many, but it also meant the final chapter for the Jewish presence in Afghanistan. Those who left carried their Afghan traditions to Israel, blending them into the larger tapestry of Jewish life there.
Zablon Simintov, often referred to as the “Last Jew of Kabul,” is a living symbol of this forgotten community. For years, he maintained the last synagogue in Kabul, becoming an international symbol of a lost era. His recent departure for Israel in 2021 marked the end of Jewish presence in Afghanistan. His story isn’t just a personal saga; it’s a poignant reminder of a cultural extinction.
The systematic expulsion and eradication of Jews from Afghanistan and across the Middle East is an actual example of ‘ethnic cleansing’. Ask yourself: what happened to the hundreds of thousands of Mizrahi Jews who once thrived in countries like Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, and Yemen?
Why This History Matters
Why should we care about the Jews of Afghanistan? Because understanding this history challenges the simplistic narratives that dominate our social media feeds. It shows that Afghanistan’s identity is multifaceted. In an era of rising antisemitism, acknowledging the historical presence of Jews in Muslim-majority countries like Afghanistan can foster a more nuanced understanding of both Jewish and Muslim histories.
Many Afghans today have no idea that Jews once lived among them. This ignorance isn’t just a gap in knowledge; it’s a loss of cultural identity. It’s easy to paint the world in black and white, but history is full of colors. Recognising the Jewish history of Afghanistan adds depth to the country’s narrative and challenges the homogenised version of its past.
Pashtun Connection
The Pashtuns are often believed to be descendants of the lost tribes of Israel. They refer to themselves as ‘Bani Israel’ and maintain customs that hint at ancient Jewish traditions, such as lighting candles on Friday evenings (Shabbat) and getting married under a chuppah. Some suggest that the term ‘Afghan’ might originate from ‘Afghana,’ a name linked to King Saul’s grandson, and that the city of Kabul derives its name from the biblical figures ‘Cain’ and ‘Abel’. These intriguing connections suggest a historical link between Jews and Pashtuns, a connection that might even extend to my own ancestors from the ‘Purmuli’ tribe, though this remains a topic of debate.
A Call to Action
Here’s where you come in. Share this story. Use your platforms to talk about the Jews of Afghanistan. Post about it on Instagram, tweet it out, make a TikTok video. Let’s bring this forgotten history back into the spotlight. Knowledge is power, and by sharing these stories, we can build bridges of understanding in a world that desperately needs them.
Fun Facts
Afghan Jewish Cuisine: Afghan Jews had unique dishes blending local spices with traditional Jewish recipes. Imagine ‘challah’ with an Afghan twist!
Cultural Festivals: Jewish holidays in Afghanistan were vibrant, community-wide celebrations, with songs in Dari and Hebrew, blending Afghan and Jewish traditions seamlessly.
Herat Synagogue Restoration: Efforts are being made to restore the historic synagogues in Herat, turning them into cultural heritage sites to preserve the memory of the Jewish community.
The story of the Jews of Afghanistan is a reminder of a time when diverse communities coexisted and enriched each other’s lives. It’s a story that deserves to be told, remembered, and shared. You have the power to keep this history alive and relevant. Let’s make sure the story of Afghanistan’s Jews is not just a chapter in history books, but a living, breathing story that inspires future generations.
Mazel Tov!