History of the Jews in Armenia
The History of the Jews in Armenia dates back more than 2,000 years.
Armenian Kingdom
Tournebize holds that Assyrians deported Jews directly to Armenia, and not to the Khabur valley. Aslan mentions that Jews of Samaria were deported to Armenia.
A large Jewish population was settled in Armenia from the 1st century BC. One of the cities, Vartkes became an important commercial center. [1] Tigranes the Great retreated from Palestine and encouraged 10,000 Jews to join him on his return to his kingdom. Thus, Armenia's Jewish community was established. Like the rest of Armenia's population, they suffered the consequences of regional powers trying to divide and conquer the country.[2]
The Jews in Pagan Armenia were Jews in Armenia before St. Gregor Lusavoric's coming. Armenian historians, as Moses Khorenatsi, hold that Tigranes II deported Jews from Palestine to Armenia. Tigranes invaded Syria, and probably northern Palestine as well. [3] The Persians also deported thousands of Jewish families from Armenia, and resettled them at Isfahan.
| Deported Jews from Palestine to Armenia [4] | |||||
| Jewish families deported into Armenia | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artashat | 9,000 | ||||
| Vaghasabat | ? | ||||
| Yervandashat | 30,000 | ||||
| Sarehavan | 8,000 | ||||
| Sarisat | 14,000 | ||||
| Van in Dosp | 18,000 | ||||
| Nachdsavan | 16,000 | ||||
Armenian SSR
After Eastern Armenia came under Russian rule in the early 19th century, Jews began arriving from Poland and Iran, creating Ashkenazic and Mizrahi communities in Yerevan. More Jews moved to Armenia during its period as a Soviet republic finding more tolerance in the area than in Russia or Ukraine. After World War II, the Jewish population rose to approximately 5,000. However, with the dissolution of the Soviet Union many have left due to inadequate services and today the country's Jewish population has shrunk to 750. Despite small numbers, a high intermarriage rate, and relative isolation, a great deal of enthusiasm exists to help the community meet its needs.[2]
Present day
There are many noteworthy Armenians with full or partial Jewish ancestry including Garry Kasparov, World Chess Champion from 1985 to 1991 and Yelena Bonner, a human rights activist in the former Soviet Union.
There is a tiny community of Subbotnik Jews, whose ancestors converted to Judaism, and are quickly dwindling.[5]
References
- ^ Xorenazi II, 65
- ^ a b Advocates on Behalf of Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States, and Eurasia: Armenia and Jews
- ^ The Arabs in Antiquity: Their History from the Assyrians to the Umayyads - Page 347 by Jan Retsoe
- ^ The Jews in Pagan Armenia, by Jacob Neusner p.231
- ^ Advocates on Behalf of Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States, and Eurasia: Small community in Armenia strives to preserve its heritage
See also
External links
- Jews of Armenia
- Hetq Online: There Have Always Been Jews in Armenia by Hasmik Hovhannisyan
- Hetq Online: Photo Story: Armenian Jews Celebrate Passover, Text by Hasmik Hovhannisyan, Photos by Nelli Shishmanyan
| History of the Jews in Europe | |
|---|---|
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Herzegovina · Bulgaria · Croatia · Cyprus1 ·
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1 Entirely in Southwest Asia; included here because of cultural, political and historical association with Europe. 2 Partially or entirely in Asia, depending on the definition of the border between Europe and Asia. 3 Mostly in Asia. 4 Entirely in the African Plate, included here because of cultural, political and historical association with Europe. 5 Only recognised by Turkey. |
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