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Yu Aw Synagogue, Herat
Summary:
The Yu Aw synagogue is located in Herat, Afghanistan, a once flourishing center of Jewish life. In Herat’s heyday, this synagogue stood near the iron gates that often welcomed traders into the city. The Jewish quarter was teeming with people, as it had an active bazaar. In 2018, it was restored by a team of artists and groundskeepers. It is currently being used as an Islamic community center. Other synagogues in the neighborhood have also been repurposed to fit the needs of local residents.
Description
Background:
The history of Jews in Afghanistan can be traced to medieval times. The earliest evidence of Jewish settlement dates back to headstones from 752 CE in Judeo-Persian that were found in proximity to a community cemetery in the area.
The community of Jews in Afghanistan consisted of both migrants and long-term residents. Most Afghan Jews are thought to have escaped from Mashhad, Persia, to Herat, a town with an established Jewish community. Herat was a central town on the Silk Road, leading many Jews to establish a community among other minority groups. Here, minority groups’ occupations were not determined by restrictions under Shari’a Law. As Jews living in Mashhad were forced to convert to Islam in 1839, many fled to Herat to openly maintain their Jewish identity and practice. From 1838 forward, Herat remained an isolated state with solid alliances with Persia. Although the Jewish community in Herat was ostensibly safer than in Mashhad, the residents were often subject to looting and torture due to their faith. Herat remained central to Jewish life and was the main point of Jewish connection in Afghanistan. Afghani Jews outside of Herat would ask rabbinical and personal questions to Jewish leaders in Herat. In 1973, the community dissolved following the coup by President Mohammad Daoud Khan (1973-1978), which abolished the monarchy and created a less tolerant government. An anti-Jewish campaign began, and most Jews were either expelled or killed. In 1979, the Soviets invaded Afghanistan, overthrowing the democratically elected leader, Hafizullah Amim. The USSR attempted to create an atheist state within its borders and persecuted religious leaders and groups in its territories, including Herat's Jewish community. The invasion and its subsequent uprisings led to the Afghan War, which lasted a decade and led to major desertions of the country. The Jews of Afghanistan immigrated mainly to Israel and the United States. In 2021, the last remaining Jews in Afghanistan were evacuated from the country due to safety concerns.
Description:
The Yu Aw Synagogue has been praised for its intricate designs, which have been heavily damaged due to conflict. Its features include a mikvah in the basement, and a courtyard with a garden. The building complex included a Jewish school, a mikvah, and a synagogue. The four main buildings have brick domes and curved ceilings covered with traditional mosaic art, primarily in blue stone. These domes surround a courtyard and garden. Sadly, most of these domes have been largely destroyed, although some walls retain their original mural artwork. Most recently, the space was restored in 2021 with help from Aliph, a Swiss non-profit that works on maintaining heritage sites impacted by conflict.
Herat , Afghanistan
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