Jewish Minority in Azerbaijan
Jewish Minority in Azerbaijan Background: Most Jews in this predominantly Muslim country live in the cities of Baku (12,000) and Kuba (2000). ... The Jewish population comprises two different ethnic backgrounds. One of the two Jewish Azeri groups is Ashkenazim who settled in Azerbaijan in the last century. ... The latter group speaks a Jewish dialect called Judeo-Tat. ... Jewish Life: The Jewish community runs two pre-schools, one Jewish day school and one supplementary school, educating a total of 200 students. ... In Baku, there are three synagogues today: an Ashkenazi, a Georgian, and a Mountain Jewish congregation. There are between 10-20 Jewish associations in Baku, including youth groups. Many educational programs are offered, including Hebrew classes and Jewish Community has established also a Jewish newspaper and a theatre club. The Jewish Community of Azerbaijan is a full member of the Federation of Jewish Communities of the C. ... History and Lifestyle: Jews have inhabited the Jewish settlement of Kuba since the 13th century. ... When Azerbaijan declared independence, the situation deteriorated. ... The Jewish community has begun to provide for itself and to secure its own resources; they have their roads and bridges fixed and houses built without any help from the State. The two local schools, with a Jewish student population of 500, are in a very difficult situation. ... Jewish Minority contribution to Azeri Majority: Azerbaijan, which is homeland to a sizeable community for over two millenniums, now, has never seen in its long history a single case of anti-Semitism. Any kind of discrimination based on Jewish origin of a citizen of Azerbaijan Republic is absolutely out of question. Moreover, Azerbaijan along with Turkey is the only predominantly Muslim States to enjoy excellent and growing relations with Israel. To prove my point, I would like to include some facts and some parts of Israeli Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mr.