Yemenite Jewry
Yemenite Jewry is among the most ancient Jewish communities worldwide. Most of its members immigrated to Israel following the state's establishment. In 2020, only a few dozen Jews remained in Yemen, thus largely ending around 2,000 years of community life in the region.
Archaeological finds indicate a Jewish presence in Yemen as far back as 200 CE, but some believe that the community is even more ancient, dating back to the Second Temple period or even the First Temple. The community’s uniqueness lies in its relative isolation from the rest of the Jewish world for many generations. Thus, it was able to preserve ancient Jewish traditions and created its own rich religious, spiritual and cultural heritage expressed in biblical language, prayers, halakhah, customs, education, culture, dress and daily life. Nevertheless, community leaders did maintain some contact with Jews from other geographical regions.
Like Jewish communities in other Islamic countries, the status of Yemenite Jewry throughout the ages was influenced by the attitudes of changing rulers. The community suffered periods of harsh decrees, abuse and exile, exacerbated by epidemics, poverty, hunger and drought. For many years, Yemenite Jews held the status of “dhimmi,” a protected class that is granted certain rights in Islamic societies but is also subject to many restrictions. Most Yemenite Jews lived in isolated villages, and Jews who resided in larger cities lived in their own separate quarters. Jewish life revolved around the community, which provided educational, religious, social, cultural, and welfare services.
Immigration to Israel
From the 13th century, small groups of Jews from Yemen began immigrating to the Land of Israel, but the major waves of immigration began in the 19th century. In 1881–1882, the immigration wave known as “A’aleh BeTamar” ("I will climb the palm tree", a reference to the Song of Songs) arrived from Yemen, with most immigrants settling in Jerusalem and Jaffa. More came in the Second Aliyah, mainly in the years 1907–1911, with many of the immigrants living and working in the Jewish agricultural settlements. Despite their great contribution to the development of the local Jewish community, many of the Yemenite Jews lived in poverty in overcrowded conditions and were treated with contempt and arrogance by their employers and the other settlers. Between the two world wars, small groups continued to immigrate to Israel, mainly through the British-controlled port city of Aden. According to estimates, in 1939 about 28,000 Yemenite Jews lived in the country. In late 1947, following the UN vote to establish a Jewish state, riots broke out in Aden, with 80 Jews murdered. In the following months, attacks against Jews increased.
At the time, approximately 60,000 Jews lived in Yemen and Aden. In the hope of immigrating to Israel, many embarked on the arduous journey to reach the “Geula” immigration camp near Aden. The camp’s harsh conditions, including overcrowding and hunger, led to many deaths. Having reached an agreement with Yemen’s ruler, the State of Israel accelerated immigration. Between 1948 and 1950, "Operation On Wings of Eagles” (aka “Operation Magic Carpet”) airlifted about 50,000 Yemenite Jews to Israel. In recent years, about 900 additional immigrants were brought to Israel in secret operations.
