Sephardic Genealogy in Libya


History of Sephardic Jews in Libya

Sephardic Jews have a deep-rooted history in Libya, with origins dating back to their expulsion from Spain and Portugal in the 15th century. They settled in various Libyan cities, contributing significantly to the cultural, economic, and social fabric of the region.

Italy’s conquest of the Ottoman provinces of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica in 1911 marked the establishment of its colony, Libya. Within Libya’s Jewish population, it is estimated that approximately 20% were of Iberian Sephardic origin, predominantly residing in urban centers like Tripoli and Benghazi, while the remaining 80% consisted of Arabic-speaking Jews native to the Maghreb region, with roots tracing back to antiquity.

The Jewish community in Libya endured significant hardships, notably during World War II, when persecution intensified until British forces assumed control of Libya. Subsequently, the community faced renewed adversity during Arab nationalist pogroms in 1945 and 1948. Following the war, a substantial portion of the Jewish population emigrated, often finding refuge in Italy, particularly in cities such as Rome, and in Israel.

By the aftermath of the 1967 conflict, the Libyan Jewish community had dwindled significantly, ultimately leading to its virtual dissolution. Today, remnants of this historic community are primarily found in Italy, particularly in Rome, and in Israel.

Jewish Communities in Libya

Sephardic Jewish communities thrived in several key Libyan cities:

  • Tripoli: A major center of Jewish life with numerous synagogues and communal institutions.
  • Benghazi: Known for its vibrant Jewish community, which played a crucial role in local commerce and cultural exchanges.
  • Derna: Home to a smaller yet influential Jewish community that made notable contributions to the city.

Sephardic Jewish Genealogy Resources

It is feared that many of the Libyan Jewish records have been lost. Available resources for researching Sephardic Jewish ancestry in Libya are listed below.

Video: Libyan Jews in the Maelstrom of Modern History – Sephardic Horizons

Other Places to Search

  • Jews will likely appear in surviving trade directories, post office directories, newspapers, etc., especially in the Italian language. Here are some Italian publications. The Italian Wikipedia page has a bibliography and some useful links.
  • It is possible there are also records in the Ottoman archives in Turkey. The area was under Ottoman rule from 1551 to 1911, including direct rule from 1835 to 1911.

Libyan Jewish Newspapers

The Libyan-Jewish newspapers below are in the collection of the National Library of Israel.

Books and Publications on Sephardic Jews in Libya

Also check Italian and French language resources.

  • The Jews of Libya: Coexistence, Persecution, Resettlement by Maurice M. Roumani
  • Jewish Memories of Libya edited by Judith Roumani
  • Sephardic Jews in Libya: Searching for the Lost Tribe by Rachel Simon
  • Jews in an Arab land: Libya, 1835-1970 by Renzo de Felice

Dar Bishi synagogue, Tripoli

The ruin of the Dar Bishi synagogue in Tripoli