Who are the Mizrahi Jews?

In the second century CE, the Romans exiled the Jews of Judea and created a far flung diaspora which saw many Jews make their way to Europe, Asia and North Africa.

In the second century CE, the Romans exiled the Jews of Judea and created a far flung diaspora which saw many Jews make their way to Europe, Asia and North Africa.

Those who ended up in the East in countries like Iraq, Iran, and Syria and in North African countries like Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia would later become known as Mizrahi Jews.

Mizrahi Jews often prospered under Muslim rule in these countries, however by the twentieth century, as Nazi ideology spread to the Middle East, they found themselves facing violent attacks from their once peaceful neighbors.

By the mid-twentieth century, Mizrahi Jews were in desperate need of a safe haven. From 1948 to 1972, nearly 600,000 immigrated to Israel alongside other Jewish refugees from around the world. Though they faced a difficult transition and discrimination in their new home, Israel today is known for its richly-integrated Mizrahi culture.

Related Articles

More From Heritage

I am the Jewish Nurse

The monster who murdered 11 people in the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh was treated by…
I am the Jewish Nurse

The Adventure Of Shalom

Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace. I know it, you know it, and most of the world knows the…
The Adventure Of Shalom
Children are People Too

Children are People Too

Parents may say they love all of their children the same, and most people would agree they…
Children are People Too

What Does it Cost to be Faithful

The ancient story of Job (whom many people believe was written by Moses) in the Bible has…
What Does it Cost to be Faithful

Women in the IDF

Women in the military is not a new concept in Israel. Women have served in military capacities…
Women in the IDF

Ukranian Elections

First a comedian, then later the mayor of the city of Vinnytsia, Volodymyr Zelensky won by a…
Ukranian Elections

Great Lessons from Grapes

I was eating some tasty grapes and started to think of some things I noticed before but didn’t…
Great Lessons from Grapes

Ancient Legacy of Chinese Jews

The Chinese government, which now recognizes Jews as an official Chinese ethnic group, is also…
Ancient Legacy of Chinese Jews

Correct Terminology

Throughout the years of my marriage (almost twenty) I've tried to make my wife Yiddish savvy.
Correct Terminology

David Ben Gurion. Dry Bones

The latest in my new Dry Bones cartoon series called "The Zionists".Today's offering features…
David Ben Gurion. Dry Bones

Publish the Menu module to "offcanvas" position. Here you can publish other modules as well.
Learn More.


donation