If there is one point worth noting in relation to the Jews of the Kingdom of Bahrain, beyond being members of the only indigenous Jewish community in the Gulf, it is the identity point.
Compared to their brethren in the UAE, Bahrain Jews perceive themselves first and foremost as Bahraini - and also as proud Jews.
"The agreements did not change the nature of our community life, and there was no change in our Jewish identity due to the Abrahamic Agreements - we have always lived here openly as Jews and coexistence," clarifies Houda Nonoo, a Jewish-Bahraini diplomat and Bahraini Foreign Ministry official. In the United States. Her cousin, Ibrahim Daoud Nono, is the head of the Jewish community in Bahrain, and the first Jew to be appointed to the kingdom's Shura Council in 2001.
"Bahrain offers a wonderful quality of life."
Huda Nono, Photo: E.P.
"The effect of the agreements on us is that we can now visit our relatives in Israel, and Israelis can come and visit us. As soon as more people are vaccinated and the volume of travel increases, we will see many more Israelis come to visit Bahrain," said Nono. Ambassador to an Arab country.
Nono was also one of the members of Bahrain's first official delegation to Israel, on a visit that was both formative and surrealistic.
"During my five years in Washington I met many new friends, and was often asked if I was in Israel. I always said, 'Not yet.' "The real reality. I could only dream - and then that dream became a reality."
Bahraini Foreign Minister: "I submitted an official request to open an embassy in Israel" // Photo: Foreign Ministry Facebook page
One hundred years of Jewish heritage
Not only a glorious history can be seen in the past of the Jewish community "Kingdom of the Two Days", which has been integrated into the archipelago in the Arabian Gulf since the early 1980s, and at its peak numbered about 1,500 people.
The pioneers of the community - who came mainly from Iraq, and some from Iran - sought an economic outlet and a better way of life, and soon made a force in the field of clothing.
The first synagogue in Bahrain was established as early as 1931, but was destroyed in 1947 after a UN vote on the partition plan. , Jason Greenblatt.
Therefore, it was only natural that the first and most symbolic move made in the wake of the Avraham agreements was the launch in February 2019 of the "House of Ten Commandments" synagogue, which was renovated before the agreements were signed.
"Since the renovation was completed, we have held programs there for Holocaust Remembrance Day and Tisha B'Av, we have had a number of 'minyanim' and we hope that there will soon be regular 'Shabbat services' as well."
Ibrahim Nono, head of the Jewish community in Bahrain, at the Temple of the Ten Commandments, in the capital city of Manama, Photo: AFP
Optimism is also recorded in relation to the size of the community in the kingdom.
"While our native community continues to remain in similar numbers, we are pleased to include Jews from the U.S. Navy base as part of our programs and services. The Gulf has many things to offer," Nono shares.
"For example, while anti-Semitism is on the rise in the West, we have no such problems and we also hope that more Jews will move here following the Abrahamic Agreements, as Bahrain offers tremendous business opportunities and a wonderful quality of life. It is a wonderful place to raise a family. "Jews will move to the area thanks to business opportunities, there will be a greater need for more kosher food options, Jewish infrastructure, including plans for Passover in hotels, Jewish schools, programs for youth and more."
Tremendous business opportunities.
Bahrain World Trade Center, Photo: Reuters
"Part of the fabric of the Bahraini society"
A special strategic significance also lies in the fact that the AGJC (The Association of Gulf Jewish Communities), established in February 2021, is based in Manama, the capital of Bahrain.
While each community is independent, the AGJC shares a common goal and vision: that Jewish life in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) will flourish for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.
Nono: "The union's board is made up of members from all six Gulf states, who together will shape the way forward for the expansion of Jewish life in the Gulf. In this context, we are preparing to examine what Jewish life will look like in the next five to ten years. Din of Arabia) and The Arabian Kosher Certification Agency.
"The Gulf states have strongly supported the growth of Jewish life, but as more people come to visit we will have to take care of their educational, cultural, spiritual and religious demands by establishing programs and institutions to serve these increased needs - and we will! Despite our size, Bahrain's Jewish community is part of the fabric. "We've been a society for over a hundred years. We believe we can help Gulf communities thrive and steer their growth in this part of the world, and recognize the critical role we play in achieving this goal," Nono said excitedly.
Shabbat Shalom
Shبات شالوم
שבת שלום # ShabbatShalom from Bab Al Bahrain, the main entrance to the Manama Souq.
I hope you will #VisitBahrain & see it in person # ShabbatWithAGJC pic.twitter.com/VzZQArvqwU
- Houda Nonoo (@ hnonoo75) June 25, 2021
Every week, near the beginning of Shabbat, Nono shares content with her followers on the networks, under the blessing of 'Shabbat Shalom' in three languages - English, Arabic and Hebrew.
About the inspiration for creating the photo series on her Twitter account (@ hnonoo75) she says.
"Following the Avraham agreements, I received many inquiries from the media and Jews around the world. I asked myself what this period meant to me, and I was inspired to create the 'Shabbat Shalom' series, to which the reactions were several times stronger than I expected.
"Every Friday I bring up traditional Jewish items like Shabbat candles and my kiddush cup, and photograph them alongside landmarks of the kingdom like Bahrain National Theater, 'Bahrain International Circle', the Tree of Life tourist site and more. Just those two words, Shabbat Shalom , Have created a buzz so far and have reached more than 2.2 million people all over the world, wishing each other 'Shabbat Shalom' - and it's just amazing!
"Jews, Muslims and Christians from all over the world (including the United States, Britain, Europe, the Gulf, Israel, other Middle Eastern countries and Asia - etc.) - all respond with their own Shabbat Shalom and learn about Bahrain at the same time. Until the number of vaccinated people increases. "Significantly, and they will come to visit Bahrain in person and experience these sites for themselves, I will continue to enjoy sharing the small pieces of Bahrain with everyone," Nono concludes hopefully.
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