As of 2021, there were no Jews reported to be living in Afghanistan, as the majority of Afghan Jews emigrated to Israel, the United Kingdom, and/or the United States. The presence of a Jewish community in Afghanistan can be traced back at least 2,500 years.
Afghanistan
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History
The Jewish community of Afghanistan can be traced back at least 800 years. In the 12th century, Benjamin of Tudela claimed that there were 80,000 Jews in the Ghazni on the River Gozan. The community was isolated and had little contact with the outside world. In the first half of the 19th century, many Persian Jews came to Afghanistan fleeing the forced conversion in Mashad, and by the second half of the 19th century, 40,000 Jews resided there.
In 1948, there were some 5,000 Jews in the country, but the vast majority left the country for Israel in the early 1950s.
The Years of the Holocaust
Demography
Community Life
Religious and Cultural Life
There is a synagogue on Charshi Torabazein Street.
Kosher Food
For up to date information on Kosher restaurants and locations please see the Shamash Kosher Database
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Relations with Israel
Aliya: Since 1948, 4,123 Afghan Jews have emigrated to Israel.
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