Jews Here, Jews There….

We Jews have lived everywhere… EVEN IRELAND!  According to The Annals of Inisfallen – a history of medieval Ireland written by the monks of Inisfallen Abbey about 600 years ago – the first Jews visited Ireland in 1079.  Within a century, Jews were casually mentioned in the court records.

The Jews were expelled from Ireland (at the same time as they were expelled from England) in 1290, but they made their way back.  In 1555, William Annyas, a Jew who had fled the expulsion from Spain, was elected as mayor of Youghal, County Cork.  He was later succeeded by Francis (not-sure-how-he-was-related-to-William) Annyas – clearly another Jew of Spanish descent.  More recently, Ben Briscoe was elected Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1988.

In 1660, the first Irish synagogue was built in Dublin.  Today, Dublin is home to three synagogues – Dublin Hebrew Congregation, Machzikei Hadass and Dublin Jewish Progressive Congregation.

In 1714, the Irish philosopher John Toland issued a pamphlet entitled “Reasons for Naturalizing the Jews in Great Britain and Ireland.” In the 1940’s, thanks to Jews fleeing Central and Eastern Europe, the Jewish population of Ireland peaked at approximately 5,500.  Today, the Jewish population of Ireland is approximately 2,000.

This Shabbat – the Sabbath immediately preceding the festival of Purim – is called Shabbat Zechor, which means “Remember.”  The name comes from the special passage we read this Saturday which begins with Deuteronomy 25:17 – “Remember what the Amalekites did to you…”  Since Purim is based on the Book of Esther, there is obviously no Torah reading.  Instead, the rabbis chose this passage to remind us of our vulnerability as a small minority.  Obviously, the story of Shushan’s Jews in the Book of Esther conveys the same message.

As 21^st-Century American Jews, we are so blessed to live in this time and place.  We sometimes take it for granted.  However, Shabbat Zechor comes around each year to remind us that even in the best of times, we may come across an individual or a group who sees us as “other,” and treats us accordingly.

So, we should be grateful for a day like today when everyone – including the Jews – is invited to be Irish.  We should thrilled and honored to be a part of the fun.  However, I’d still wary of green bagels.

Shalom,
RAF.