Azerbaijan's Jewish Community Thrives Amidst Muslim Majority, Welcoming Israeli Tourists

Rabbi Zamir Isayev, the Sephardic community rabbi in Baku, Azerbaijan, described a vibrant and secure Jewish life in the predominantly Muslim nation, contrasting with rising antisemitism elsewhere. He highlighted the community's pride in its thousands of years of history and its current size of 15,000 to 20,000 Jews, mostly in Baku.

Isayev emphasized the freedom to practice Judaism without fear, noting that synagogues were full on Yom Kippur and that Jews openly wear kippahs and hats in public. He attributed this security to Azerbaijan's secular nature and centuries of warm relations between Azerbaijanis and Jews, viewing the Jewish community as a patriotic asset.

The rabbi also addressed a recent diplomatic incident where an Israeli Knesset proposal to recognize the Armenian genocide caused disappointment. He explained that the local Jewish community lobbied against it, fearing damage to the strong strategic relationship between Azerbaijan and Israel, which he stressed remains robust, with Azerbaijan continuing to be a key energy supplier to Israel.

Baku boasts a thriving community infrastructure, including two Jewish schools, kindergartens, mikvahs, synagogues, and a kollel for Torah study. A local rabbinical court maintains ties with Israel's Chief Rabbinate, and a kashrut system oversees local restaurants, with new kosher establishments opening to cater to a surge in Israeli tourism. Isayev reported that in August alone, nearly 35,000 Israeli tourists visited, filling the streets with Hebrew and receiving warm welcomes, reinforcing the feeling of safety and belonging for Jews in Azerbaijan.