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Cemetery at Ain Beida, Algeria
The town of Ain Beida is located in northeastern Algeria, formerly known as Daoud. The name Ain Beida is derived from the Arabic phrase for "white springs," a direct reference to the town's most prominent geographical feature.[1] Ain Beida is located on top of a plateau at the eastern border of the Setif plains, where several saline lakes in shallow cavities reside. The area also boasts fertile soil that supports grain, the town's primary crop. Remains of lead and copper mines from an ancient Roman settlement are scattered around the hills surrounding Ain Beida, and Roman inscriptions are on display in the town's public garden.[2] These remnants reflect the town's varied history; its inhabitants have included Romans, Jews from Constantine, and the Chaouis, a "Berber" people. Aïn Beïda was founded as a French military post (two forts, 1848 and 1850) to control the powerful, Arabized Harakta Berbers (Amazigh). It is a road and rail junction as well as a trading centre for agriculture produce. There are saltworks at the Garaet et-Tarf Depression, 11 miles southwest, and phosphate deposits are located nearby.[3]
Description
The Jewish population of Aïn-Beida numbered 447 in 1866, peaked at 940 in 1931, and fell to 300 in 1957, a majority of whom were modest artisans and low-level civil servants.[4] The Constantine riots of 1934 spread to the surrounding towns, and in Aïn Beida Jewish stores were sacked and a dozen Jews were injured.[5] During the Algerian War of Independence, the town’s few Jewish merchants suffered from the boycott called by Muslims.[6] The farm owned by Lellouche, the only Jewish farmer, and the workshop of the mechanics Guigue were burned down.[7] The community ceased to exist in 1962 and abandoned its synagogue.[8]
Sources
Ayoun, Richard. Encyclopedia of Jews in the Islamic World. s.v. "Aïn-Beida" http://0-referenceworks.brillonline.com.luna.wellesley.edu/entries/encyclopedia-of-jews-in-the-islamic-world/ain-beida-SIM_0001000 (accessed June 20, 2014).
Encyclopædia Britannica Online, s. v. "Aïn Beïda," accessed June 20, 2014, http://0-www.britannica.com.luna.wellesley.edu/EBchecked/topic/10540/Ain-Beida.
Images:
"Jewish cemetery -جبانة اليهود" http://www.panoramio.com/photo/24527434 (accessed July 10, 2014).
Notes:
[1] Ayoun, Richard. Encyclopedia of Jews in the Islamic World. "Aïn Beïda"
[2] Encyclopaedia Britannica Online, "Aïn Beïda"
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ayoun, Richard. Encyclopedia of Jews in the Islamic World, "Aïn Beïda"
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.