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Kosovo Jewry: 100 Locals, 2 Synagogues Israel today

2020-09-06T06:27:12.875Z


| Around the Jewish worldKosovo Chief Rabbi on relations with Muslims: "The most moderate current, a religion of peace" • On behind-the-scenes work to normalize relations: "Everyone is happy" Rabbi Yoel Kaplan with Baba Mundi // Photo: Courtesy of Rabbi Kaplan The announcement of the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Israel comes after much behind-the-scenes work, including the assistance of Rabbi Yoel Kapl


Kosovo Chief Rabbi on relations with Muslims: "The most moderate current, a religion of peace" • On behind-the-scenes work to normalize relations: "Everyone is happy"

  • Rabbi Yoel Kaplan with Baba Mundi // Photo: Courtesy of Rabbi Kaplan

The announcement of the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Israel comes after much behind-the-scenes work, including the assistance of Rabbi Yoel Kaplan, Chabad emissary and Chief Rabbi of Albania and Kosovo. Kaplan, who works extensively in these areas, is close to Kosovo's government and religion. Interested.

This is a significant exciting move.

"Everyone is very excited about the developments," he tells Israel Today.

About a decade ago, Rabbi Kaplan came to the area and began rehabilitating the Jewish community in Kosovo, which now numbers between 100 and 200 Jews, about half of whom are locals and half of the businessmen who come to the area from time to time.

"When I arrived in the Balkans, I discovered that there was no Jewish infrastructure in the area. Although Jews lived in Kosovo and other countries in the area, the community did not exist and there was no Jewish life in the country.

There are currently two official communities in Kosovo.

The first, "Beit Yisrael", is located in the country's capital, Pristina.

"We work in a very strong way, holding prayers and meals during the holidays. The president of the community holds a powerful procession every year on Independence Day."

Another community in the city of Friseren numbers only a few Jews who are local residents, a few apparently.

"A synagogue is currently being built in the freezer," says Rabbi Kaplan.

The synagogues are used by, among others, the Jewish tourists who come to the place from Israel and other countries.

Despite the fact that it is a Muslim country, Kosovo is very tolerant of the Jews.

"It is a Muslim country, but it is not radical Islam but a very moderate one. At the head of the Shiite current to which the people of Kosovo belong," Bakatsia, "says Baba Mundi, who maintains close relations with Rabbi Kaplan.

Kosovo residents are not extremists at all.

They drink alcohol and do not go with veils.

Their belief in peace is a code by which thousands of Jews in Albania survived the Holocaust.

"Not only is there no problem for Jews in Kosovo, but vice versa - in terms of Islam they are blessed."

"The barrier to relative normalization was Serbia, and as soon as they agreed Israel entered a wide open door. The whole region waited for this moment. I believe Albania will also follow Kosovo and open an embassy in Jerusalem, because that is what I hear from people in government, but there are challenges due to ties with Turkey."

Source: israelhayom

All news articles on 2020-09-06

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