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.
- Archivi del Ministero dell’Africa Italiana. The archives of the Ministry of Italian Africa.
- Archives of the Italian Ministry of the Interior (Ministero dell’Interno) and those of the foreign consulates.
- International Jewish Cemetery Project lists fourteen Jewish cemeteries in Libya.
- British National Archives contains information and correspondence on the Jews of Libya.
- Arolsen Archives and Yad VaShem for Holocaust-period records.
- Archives of the Joint Distribution Committee contains post-War records on Libyan Jewry.
- Central Archives for the History of the Jewish People Jerusalem (CAHJP)
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.
- Degel Tsiyon – דגל ציון
- ha-Mevaśer ha-ʻIvri – המבשר העברי; ג’רידה יהודייה בטריפוליטנה תצדר כל נפץ שהר
- Ḳol ha-Moreh – קול המורה
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
The ruin of the Dar Bishi synagogue in Tripoli