Adeni Jews in Ethiopia (today Eritrea)

 

A number of Aden's Jewish families left Aden for Ethiopia in the years 1920-1930 and until the death of Hailie Selassie in 1975 there was a Jewish community of several hundred Adeni expatriates living in the cities of Asmara, Addis Ababa and Massawa.

Asmara Synagogue in 2007

Until 1967, when many left Aden for Israel or UK, Ethiopia was one of the few places outside of Aden that could support a community of any substantial number. Synagogues were developed, and a social club, all presided over by Mr Shoa Menachem Joseph.

Today (2008) the last remaining vestiges of Jewish life are the 60-seat 1906 neoclassical synagogue on Haille Mariam Mammo Street, just off Asmara's main Harnet Avenue, and the hilltop cemetery. With it's doors now locked during the day the lonely synagogue, which used to cater to a bustling Jewish community of 500 in the 1950's, today rarely sees new visitors. The last wedding in the synagogue was in the 60's and the last rabbi left in 1975. 61 year-old Samuel (Sami) Cohen, the last native Jew still living in the city of Asmara, looks after the synagogue and tends the nearby hilltop cemetery, final resting place for around 150 souls.

Sami Cohen in Asmara Synagogue 2007

Emperor Hailie Sellassie of Ethiopia meeting the Jewish Adanim leaders at the Ethiopian Royal Palace in Asmara. Shaking hands with the late Emperor is Jacob Samuel Cohen.

From left: Emperor Haile Sellasie, President of the Jewish community Shoa Menachem Joseph, Rabbi of the community Razon Tobi, Jacob Samuel Cohen, Israel Banin, Shoa Banin and an Ethiopian Authority.