Israel’s first higher-education delegation to Bahrain captured the hearts of all who were part of the mission to form partnerships with our Bahraini counterparts.
The two-day visit in June 2022 was filled with meetings and work-related events at the Bahrain Higher Council of Education (HCE), Ministry of Education, Economic Development Board (EDB), University of Bahrain, Bahrain Polytechnic, RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – Bahrain), American University of Bahrain, the Isa Cultural Center, and the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence. (Read the full article here.)
In between the meetings, the Bahraini hosts showed the Israeli delegation, which included Bar-Ilan University’s deputy president, Prof. Moshe Lewenstein; Ofer Dahan, executive director of BIU’s International School; and Yael Toledano, director of Foreign Relations in the International School, the beautiful sights in Manama, the Kingdom’s capital, including a visit to the Al Fateh Grand Mosque.
The highlight of the tour was a visit to the recently renovated synagogue, which is now a vibrant place where the Jewish community congregates. The “House of Ten Commandments” is the oldest and only functioning synagogue in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. When you walk into the synagogue, you are greeted by a copy of the original deed, which dates back to the 1930s. The parochet (curtain) that covers the Ark pays homage to the community’s first and only Rabbi.
Ambassador Houda Nonoo, former Bahraini Ambassador to the USA and one of the leaders of the Jewish community (center), showed the delegation around the synagogue
The community first renovated the synagogue in 1996, but did not use it frequently as they celebrated Shabbat and Chagim in their homes. However, in 2018, noting an increase in Jewish tourists to Bahrain, the community leaders decided to embark on another renovation project to welcome the influx of tourists. The project began before the historic Abraham Accords were signed between Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain in September 2020 and it happened just in time as Jewish tourism has since soared.
In February 2021, the renovations were completed and the synagogue opened its doors. In August of that year, the community celebrated the first Bar Mitzvah to take place in 16 years, and in October, the first wedding in 52 years.
“Throughout our trip, we learned about the Kingdom’s commitment to coexistence and providing equal opportunities for all people, no matter their religion,” said Ofer Dahan. “There is no better example of success than Ambassador Nonoo, who is the first and only Jewish Ambassador from an Arab country. Nonoo and her cousin, Ebrahim D. Nonoo, both served in the Shura Council, the Upper House of Parliament. Their cousin, Nancy Khedouri, currently serves there,” he said.
“Houda guided our tour and shared information about the community and the synagogue. The sign outside – the ‘House of Ten Commandments’ – is written in Hebrew, English, and Arabic. She took us to the market and through streets that were once busy with Jewish life. We stopped by a store with the name of the owner on the outside – Naji Haroon Cohen. A nice Jewish name. It was all fascinating and touching, and we all enjoyed the experience immensely,” Dahan said.
