Rabbi Eliyahu Birnbaum Travels 143 Countries to Connect and Strengthen Jewish Identity Worldwide
Rabbi Eliyahu Birnbaum, head of the Strauss-Amiel Institute and author of "Global Rabbi," has visited 143 countries to explore and support Jewish communities around the world. His journeys are not mere tours but purposeful missions to connect with Jewish identity, heritage, and pride in even the most remote and challenging locations. Birnbaum emphasizes that each trip leaves a lasting impact, transforming him and deepening his understanding of Jewish continuity.
Born in Uruguay, Birnbaum’s first significant journey was at age 13 when he traveled alone to Israel, an experience that shaped his lifelong dedication to Jewish outreach. Over decades, he has encountered unique Jewish enclaves such as the Moroccan-descended community in Manaus, Brazil, deep in the Amazon rainforest, and the Gogodala tribe in Papua New Guinea, whose members claim ancestral ties to Jerusalem. While historical evidence for some claims is scant, Birnbaum highlights the profound spiritual connection these groups feel to Jewish identity.
In light of rising antisemitism globally, Birnbaum advocates for visible Jewish pride, including openly wearing a kippah, as a vital defense against assimilation and erasure. He warns that Israeli emigrants often face greater risks of losing their Jewish identity due to weak ties to local Jewish communities abroad. Maintaining strong communal frameworks like synagogues and Jewish schools is essential to preserving Jewish life in the diaspora.
Birnbaum also shared a historical halachic ruling from 19th-century Venice, where a rabbi permitted installing a church-like bell and clock on a synagogue to call worshippers to prayer. This example illustrates how Jewish tradition can adapt practical tools from surrounding cultures without compromising core identity.
Through his extensive travels and research, Rabbi Birnbaum continues to inspire Jewish communities worldwide to embrace their heritage with pride and resilience, ensuring the survival and flourishing of Jewish identity across continents.
