Roughly 800 Jews are currently living in Gibraltar. The Jews of Gibraltar are one of the biggest religious minorities in the British colonial territory, having a long and illustrious history on the peninsula. Gibraltarian Jews, who are mostly Sephardic, have made substantial contributions to the political and cultural life of the island.
The Jewish community in Gibraltar is represented by the Gibraltar Jewish Community - an affiliate of the World Jewish Congress.
There has been a Jewish presence in Gibraltar since 1356. However, the original community, together with the rest of the Jews of Spain, was banished in 1492. The 1713 Treaty of Utrecht allowed Britain to gain control over the territory; Although Spain insisted that Jews continue to be excluded, Britain did not consent to this, and the Jews (along with the Moors and other minorities) were granted the right to permanent settlement in 1749.
Following Jewish resettlement on “The Rock,” the oldest synagogue in Gibraltar, Congregation Sha’ar HaShamayim, was established. By 1754, there were 573 Jews in Gibraltar, composing one-third of the civilian population. By the middle of the 19th century, the Jews were an integral part of Gibraltar’s economy, dominating most of the retail trade on the island.
The community began to decline as many Jews never returned to Gibraltar after being evacuated to other British territories during the Second World War. Only a few remained after the end of hostilities.
Today, the Jewish community is growing again. Its members have played an active and important role in politics and other fields. Notably, Gibraltar’s first and third Chief Minister was Joshua Hassan, who served from 1964 to 1969 and again from 1972 to 1987. More recently, Solomon Levy served as the Mayor of Gibraltar from 2008 to 2009.
Throughout the Holocaust, Gibraltar was considered a vital component of the Allied strategy. Gibraltar’s position at the entrance of the Mediterranean meant that any Axis convoy of supply ships would have to pass through the region before reaching their respective destinations. There was also the ever-present danger of Francoist Spain seizing Gibraltar, and placing it in the hands of the Axis powers.
Fortunately, Franco resisted any hostile or aggressive action, even reportedly extending an invitation to Gibraltarian Jews of Sephardic origin to come to Spain for protection. Most of Gibraltar’s Jews were evacuated during the war (as was the majority of citizens in general), to strengthen the defense of "The Rock,” (Congregation Sha’ar HaShamayim, the oldest synagogue in Gibraltar), with the addition of more military personnel.
According to the 2012 census, there were 763 Jews in Gibraltar, constituting two percent of the population.
Gibraltar’s Jews are represented by the Managing Board of the Gibraltar Jewish Community (MBJC). The organization is structured to cater to almost all aspects of Jewish life for its members; it provides a meeting place for Jewish Gibraltarians, a schooling system, a synagogue, a mikveh (ritual bath), and even a Jewish cemetery. Other organizations include the Hevra Kadisha (a Jewish burial society) and a local chapter of the Women's International Zionist Organization (WIZO).
Despite the small size of the community, Gibraltar is home to four Orthodox synagogues with regular services. The community also operates two Jewish burial grounds.
Kosher food can be readily found in Gibraltar, with the government funding a kosher home for the elderly.
Gibraltar offers Jewish day schools for all ages and all levels, including a Hebrew school and secondary school. There is also a Kollel (institute of advanced Talmudic studies).
There are Jewish youth-oriented activities offered through the Gibraltar Jewish Community, but no official Jewish youth organizations operate in Gibraltar.
Gibraltar’s notable Jewish sites include its four synagogues, as well as the old Jewish cemetery in the Upper Rock.
Gibraltar and Israel maintain full diplomatic ties and Israel maintains a consulate in Gibraltar.
Consulate of Israel
39 Glacis Road, Marina View
P.O Box 238, Gibraltar
Telephone: (+350) 200 77735
Fax: (+350) 200 74301
Email: david.benaim@overseas.gi
