Aden's Jewish Community
In 1835 when
Haines first visited Aden
the total population was estimated at a mere 800
souls, 250-300 of whom were Jews.
Haines returned in 1837 and
1838 and submitted to the Indian Government that the
population was 600, comprising 300 Arabs, 250 Jews
and 50 Banyans.
But the
British presence in Aden was quick to attract
immigrants and change the character of the town. A
mere six weeks after the 1839 occupation of Aden the
population of Jews comprised 267 males and 301
females. By September the same year there were
another 46 males and 6 females. Normally one would
expect a higher proportion of males during a period
of rapid immigration but the reverse situation can
be most likely attributed to the relatively short
distance travelled by the Jews from the interior,
accompanied with little inconvenience by their wives
and daughters.
The Great Synagogue
By 1872 the
Jewish population was 2,000 and by 1916 it has risen
to 3,700. Many of the immigrants during this period
had come from the Yemen port of Mukka to escape the
oppressive regime of the Imam of Yemen.
During the
period of Aden's settlement by the British in 1839,
and at least up to 1872, the Jewish community was
located entirely in an area known as Bazaar No. 2.
in the Crater district. This quarter was 600 metres
long by 500 metres broad, and had seven streets,
each more than 500 metres in length. Here, all the
Jews and almost all the rich Europeans lived;
money-lenders, contractors,
Parsi and Borah
shopkeepers and Banyan and Arab wholesalers trading
in precious stones, coffee, spices, gums etc.
By the early
20th century the Jewish Quarter, as it became known,
comprised four main streets called Street 1, Street
2, Street 3 and Street 4. However, they became known
as Chaphat Al-Hamra (Red Street - later King Solomon
Street), Chaphat Banin, Chaphat Al-Chobz (Bread
Street, after the many bakers there) and Chaphat
Al-Mullah. Up until 1940 a fifth street, Chaphat
Zafaran was also occupied by Jews. Jewish life would
rarely extend past the confines of this small
district in Crater.
In 1921 when the
Prince of Wales
(later King Edward
VIII) visited Aden he wished to meet the
current President of the community,
Banin Menahem
Moshe. However, as it was on the Sabbath the
President was unable to travel the 5 miles from his
home in Crater to the port in Steamer Point. The
Prince thus met him in Crater outside the
Jewish
Boy's School.
The Prince of
Wales,
visits the Jewish Adanim1
Community in 1921and is received by
Banin Menahem Moshe,
the 2nd President of the Jewish community.
Pictured In front of the Jewish Boys School, which
was later burnt in the 1947 riots.
1Adanim
are the Jewish people of Aden. Adan is another form
of the word Aden.
