Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is a city with a rich history. It has always been multinational and multicultural, absorbing the traditions and customs of many peoples. Among them, a special place is occupied by the Jewish community, whose history in Baku goes back several centuries.
The Jewish presence in Baku can be traced back to ancient times. The first mentions of Jews on the territory of modern Azerbaijan date back to the early Middle Ages, when Mountain Jews, descendants of the ancient Jews of Persia and the Caucasus, settled here. In the 19th century, with the beginning of active development of Baku oil fields, Ashkenazi Jews from Eastern Europe and Russia began to come to the city. Baku became a real “cauldron” for various Jewish communities, each of which brought its own traditions and customs.
Jews played an important role in the development of the Baku oil industry, which became the basis for the city's economic prosperity. They also actively participated in the social and cultural life of the city, occupying leading positions in science, medicine, education and trade. At the beginning of the 20th century, a synagogue was opened in Baku, Jewish schools and charitable organizations operated.
After the establishment of Soviet power, the Jewish community, like many other religious groups, faced restrictions on their activities. The USSR pursued a policy of atheism, and Jews, as a religious group, were persecuted. Synagogues were closed, religious practices were prohibited, and Jewish culture, like the culture of other national minorities, was assimilated.
Despite this, Jews continued to contribute to the development of Baku. They occupied important positions in science, education and medicine, and became part of the city's intellectual elite.
Today in Baku there are memorial plaques on buildings where prominent representatives of Jewish nationality lived, such as Nobel Prize laureate theoretical physicist Lev Landau, Honored Doctor of the Republic Professor Solomon Gusman and Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences Professor Lola Barsuk, hero of the First Karabakh War, National Hero of Azerbaijan Albert Agarunov and many others.
The end of the 1980s was a time of change for the Jewish community of Baku. Perestroika began, the Soviet system collapsed, and with it restrictions on religious freedom were fallen. The Jews of Baku were again able to openly practice their faith, build synagogues and revive national traditions.
Nowadays, the Jewish community of Baku is an active and respected part of Azerbaijani society. Despite migration processes and modern challenges, Jews continue to make a significant contribution to the development of the city. They actively participate in public life, engage in business, science, culture and charity. Now the Jewish community of Baku numbers 25 thousand people, 10% of whom actively participate in its life. But the number of Jews is constantly decreasing, as many leave for Israel, the USA and Germany, where their relatives live.
The Center for Azerbaijani-Israeli Friendship, the Jewish agency Sohnut, committees for the protection and preservation of Jewish traditions - "Joint" and "Vaad-L-Hetzola", religious yeshiva schools, the Jewish Cultural Center, and the women's society "Eva" have been created and are actively functioning in Baku. You can see here also such organizations as the charitable society "Hesed-Khershon", the educational center "Ohr Avner Chabad" for Jewish children, the youth clubs "Aleph", the student organization "Hillel", the video club "Mishpacha", the newspapers "Az-Iz", " Tower" and "Amishav".
There are three synagogues in the city - Georgian Jews, who account for 10% of the total number of Jews in Baku, Mountain Jews - 70% and Ashkenazi Jews - 20%.
Jewish holidays, such as Passover and Hanukkah, are celebrated in Baku on a grand scale, attracting not only community members, but also numerous guests.
The Jewish community of Baku is living proof that even in the most difficult times, you can preserve your identity, culture and faith, while remaining part of a large and diverse society.