The Jews of Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, a 95% majority-Muslim country, has been home to Jewish communities for over 2,000 years. Throughout that time, and perhaps most impressively in the geopolitical climate of today, Azerbaijan has stood out as a beacon of interreligious harmony and respect. It is a place where Jewish history is like no other - a place where Mountainous Jews have always called their home and speak a unique language unheard in the rest of the world. Azerbaijan is a Muslim country where a Jewish woman is one of the Supreme Court justices and a Jewish man is a prominent leader in parliament. It has the largest all-Jewish town outside of Israel, a few hours drive from the capital city of Baku. It has a history unlike any other nation in the world, of protecting and empowering Jews within the country, and that remains true today. The story of Jewish life in Azerbaijan serves as a remarkable model giving us a glimpse into what is possible for the rest of the world, when it comes to something as important as religion, freedom, and the value of every life.

Rabbi Israel Barouk completed his Rabbinical degree and Dayanas, as a Judge of the Jewish Court, at Yeshivat Or Elchonon. Originally from Jerusalem, New York City and Paris and currently based in Los Angeles, Rabbi Barouk works with leaders and communities across the globe to study, understand and engage with how "positive multiculturalism" serves as a powerful mechanism toward peace.