The Jews of Yemen and a Journey on the Magic Carpet

Join the BZD and guide Gavriella Bigio Dahan on a tour of the Jews of Yemen. The Jewish community in Yemen has existed since antiquity but comprises just a handful of affiliated members today. However, many traditions that were forgotten by the rest of the world Jewry were preserved in their dedication to age-old customs in a country that took much longer to progress with the times. The past century saw the largest waves of immigration to Israel, among which Gavriella’s grandmother took part. Through conversations with her, she learned about her personal ordeal as a child thrust into the unknown and the changing way of life for Yemenites in Israel. Yemenite Jews and their descendants have made their mark in Israeli society and contributed much to religious study, music, crafts, and food.