Bahrain’s Jews get to pray in synagogue for first time in decades
FIRST SHABBAT SERVICES HELD AT RENOVATED SYNAGOGUE IN 74 YEARS
For the first time in decades, Ebrahim Nonoo is leading prayer services in Manama’s renovated synagogue, bringing Jewish traditions into plain view after decades of worship in private.
Bahrain’s tiny Jewish community, about 50 people, have practised their faith behind closed doors since 1947, when the kingdom’s only synagogue was destroyed in disturbances at the start of the Arab-Israeli conflict. But when Bahrain normalised ties with Israel a year ago as part of the Abraham Accords, it “opened everything” up, Nonoo said.
“We’re very happy to be out in the open,” the 61-year-old head of the Jewish Community in Bahrain, said.
The small, white-painted synagogue with wood-framed windows is in the heart of the capital Manama. It was recently renovated at a cost of 60,000 Bahraini dinars ($159,000). Inside are wooden benches with navy blue cushions, a big screen to broadcast prayers, and a wooden podium, or bimah, holding religious books in Arabic, English and Hebrew.
“We can develop Jewish life in Bahrain because we have a fully functioning synagogue,” Nonoo said. “We have the ability to bring the Jews to the synagogue, and we want them to come on a regular basis.”
Last month, Bahrain’s Jews held their first Shabbat services at the synagogue in 74 years, accompanied by expatriate Jews and diplomats.
Jewish public prayers were heard in this region for over 2,000 years and unfortunately were stopped in 1947. Resuming them is like coming back home.”
Rabbi Elie Abadie | Head of the association of Gulf Jewish communities
‘Renewing our history’
At the services, worshippers eat bread and drink grape juice after reciting short prayers from a book from the synagogue library, with a silver menorah, or ceremonial lampstand, in the centre.
Rabbi Elie Abadie, head of the association of Gulf Jewish communities, said the return of public prayer was “renewing our history in the region”.
“Jewish public prayers were heard in this region for over 2,000 years and unfortunately were stopped in 1947,” he said. “Resuming them is like coming back home.”
Many Bahraini Jews left the country during the ArabIsraeli conflict over fears they would be targeted, while others stayed behind, but kept a low profile, Nonoo said.
There are now concerns over the future of the community, with most of the younger generation living abroad.
Plans for a school
Nonoo said he is currently seeking ways to buy the building next to the synagogue to establish a yeshiva, or religious school, where Jewish families can enrol their children.
“Our target is to have a rabbi, a young rabbi here in Bahrain, to develop Jewish life and to get to know the community and to be able to offer services to them on a weekly basis,” he added. “This will help develop the community in Bahrain.”
For Aviva, 40, who has a two-year-old daughter, the reopening of the synagogue has already brought comfort and joy. “Praying at the synagogue makes me feel that my voice is more special,” she said.
“When they brought out the Torah [last month during prayer] and passed it to us to kiss, tears started running down my face... it was a special moment,” she said.