Kurdish Jews

Kurdish Jews are among the world's oldest continuously existing Jewish communities, with a history spanning more than 2,500 years. According to Biblical tradition and local folklore, the community originated during the Assyrian captivity in the 8th century BCE, when the tribes of Israel were exiled to the region of Media and Assyria, areas that correspond to modern-day Kurdistan. Nestled among the rough highlands of northern Mesopotamia, which includes portions of modern-day Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Syria, these Jews lived in relative seclusion for generations.

They were able to maintain distinctive religious traditions, cultural practices, and—most importantly—their language because of their geographic seclusion. Jewish Neo-Aramaic, a language directly inherited from the ancient Aramaic, was spoken by Kurdish Jews in a variety of dialects. The group, who were mostly farmers, weavers, artisans, and traders, lived close to Muslim, Christian, and Yezidi neighbors throughout their existence. They experienced sporadic spells of persecution, high taxes, and instability depending on the ruling authority, but they also often enjoyed periods of peaceful cohabitation under local Kurdish chieftains. Kurdish Jews had a strong spiritual connection to the region, and they made frequent pilgrimages to the tombs of biblical prophets, including Daniel in Kirkuk, Jonah in Mosul, and Nahum in Alqosh. Small groups of Kurdish Jews began moving to Ottoman Palestine at the beginning of the 20th century as Zionist ideas spread throughout the area.

The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 put the Jewish community in serious danger. Arab nationalism increased, and anti-Jewish laws were instituted in Iraq. Operation Ezra and Nehemiah, an airlift that evacuated the great majority of Iraqi Jews between 1950 and 1952, was the culmination of this difficult period. Almost all of the more than 25,000 Kurdish Jews left behind centuries of history when they flew to Israel from their ancestral homelands. With significant concentrations in Jerusalem and the neighborhoods, the community has now thoroughly assimilated into Israeli society. Kurdish Jews in Israel preserve their unique heritage through traditional music, dancing, food, and the yearly Seharane festival, guaranteeing that their ancient Mesopotamian culture endures for future generations despite their geographical dislocation.

The Seharane is the central cultural festival of Kurdish Jews, celebrating their distinct heritage, nature, and community resilience. Originally celebrated in Kurdistan, the festival has been successfully revived and adapted in modern Israel. In the festival, the music is dominated by the loud, rhythmic beats of the Dohola (large drum) and the high-pitched melodies of the Zurna (woodwind instrument). The dancers join hands in the traditional Govend, a high-energy, synchronized circle and line dance. Attendees frequently wear vibrant, heavily embroidered traditional Kurdish clothing. The families share traditional dishes like Kuba (stuffed dough dumplings) and Yaprach (stuffed grape leaves).

There are between 200,000 and 300,000 Kurdish Jews and their descendants living in Israel today. Roughly half of the entire population resides in Jerusalem, concentrated within specific areas like the Katamonim neighborhood in southern Jerusalem. They founded over 30 agricultural villages (moshavim) throughout the Israeli countryside. Most are descendants of the 50,000 Kurdish Jews who arrived during the mass airlifts of the 1950s. The vast majority now speak Hebrew as their primary language. A dwindling number of elders still speak regional Kurdish dialects and Judeo-Aramaic.