The Last Jew in Eritrea in an Interview with Hidabroot: "Sometimes I Feel Lonely, but Hashem is with Me"

Sami Cohen, 77 years old, is the last Jew living in Eritrea. His home is in the capital city of Asmara. Surrounded by millions of Christians and Muslims, Cohen is the sole Jewish beacon illuminating the entire region.

So what is he doing there, in such a remote foreign country? How did he end up there, and why doesn't he immigrate to Israel, to his people and homeland?

"Everyone Left One by One"

The story of the Jewish community in Asmara begins in 1905 when many families from the Aden province in Yemen began arriving in the region for trade purposes. They settled there and, in a short time, started a vibrant community life: they built a synagogue, educational centers for children, and even a Jewish cemetery. A civil census conducted in the country found that no fewer than 120 Jews were residing there.

The community began to dissolve in the 1970s. Eritrea was affected by the socialist revolution, and the military forces began to impose a brutal regime that severely harmed the Jewish community as well. "It got to the point where life in Asmara became unbearable," Cohen recalls those days. "Most of the time we were under curfew, electricity didn't flow, and the food supply was very minimal. In those days, a lot of our property was confiscated and nationalized, so many families suddenly became destitute."

Those were critical days for the Jewish community in Asmara, and indeed most of its members decided to leave and emigrate to the USA. Eventually, some of them immigrated to Israel, as part of Operation 'Magic Carpet'. "Our family was among the few that stayed here. Over the following years, everyone left one by one, and my family too left everything behind and settled in Rome and Israel. Since then, I'm the only one left in Asmara."

Here I was born. The home of Sami Cohen in Asmara

"I Don't Have Much to Do Here"

In Asmara, the streets are mostly old and neglected. The synagogue is located on the city's main street. Cohen recounts that the synagogue was the first religious building established in the area, followed by religious structures of other populations. An especially stunning scene is observed at the synagogue during sunrise when the rays of the sun project the Hebrew letter 'Hey' on the front wall. "It's a clear sign of the Shechina's presence here," Cohen says excitedly.

The letter 'Hey' reflected on the wall of the synagogue in Asmara

In 2005, on the centennial anniversary of the synagogue, a special festive event was held. The city's streets were decorated, strings of lights were hung, and an exciting orchestra welcomed the attendees. "Everyone who left the community came back to join this celebration," he recalls. "It was an exciting and unforgettable event."

The grand celebration practically became the "swan song" of the Jewish community in Asmara. On that day, the last prayer quorum in the history of the synagogue took place. Since then, Cohen has prayed there alone, maintaining and renewing it, and guarding it diligently and daily.

Describe your daily routine.

"I wake up early in the morning, go to the synagogue, open it and pray there. During the day, sometimes I clean the synagogue, and sometimes I visit the cemetery to pay respects to the old graves. There isn't much to do in the place where I live."

Cohen shares that in recent years, the Eritrean government has significantly reduced the job market. "The government does not give citizens the opportunity to work. It holds all the resources in its hands, without giving residents the option to progress and develop. This is part of the president's policy. This is how he manages to maintain control of the country and ensure himself absolute, uncontested rule."

From the depths I called You. The prayer platform in the synagogue

"An Israeli Doctor Cured the President"

President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea was among the military revolutionaries of Africa. In 1966, when the struggle for Eritrea's independence began, Afwerki joined the Eritrean People's Liberation Front and became its leader. Over the years, he allied with other organizations, such as the RLF, and fought for his country's independence against the Ethiopian army forces. In 1993, the UN initiated a referendum, after which Eritrea declared its independence. Afwerki became the first president of the country.

In 1996, the president contracted malaria and was flown to Israel for medical treatment. The one who treated him was Dr. Eli Schwartz, a leading expert in infectious diseases in Israel. "He was at death's door, and a Jewish-Israeli doctor healed him," Cohen proudly describes.

Cohen was among the few who accompanied the presidential entourage on its way to Israel. Although many years have passed, he still remembers the days when Afwerki was hospitalized in Israel: "Every evening I would walk with him in the garden of Sheba Hospital, and he wouldn't stop thanking the Israelis who managed to heal him. In those days, he promised me that the state under his leadership would do everything to return the property that was confiscated from Jews who lived there, but today he ignores it."

Do you still have a connection with him?

"No. During the time when the Israeli embassy in Eritrea was operational, we used to gather once a year and celebrate Israel's Independence Day together with him. Since the embassy closed, the connection with him ceased, and there is almost no possibility to meet with him."

"Hashem Placed Me Here"

The Israeli embassy in Eritrea operated until 2010. The embassy days are remembered by Cohen as a refreshing period when he had someone to keep him company. Today he is left alone, the last Jew living in the country. Throughout the year, he travels several times to Rome and Israel alternately to visit his family and children.

How does it feel to live alone among non-Jews?

"I have no answer to this question," he sighs after a long silence. "I have a house to live in, I have a synagogue to pray in, and I divide my time between them. What can I do? Leave? And who will take care of the synagogue? Who will visit the cemetery? Hashem is the one who placed me in this place, and He is the one keeping me here. I believe this is my mission in the world, and I am here to stay.

"Sometimes, when I feel lonely, I go to the synagogue and pray," Cohen tears up. "I know I'm not alone because Hashem is with me. I must stay here for the synagogue and the cemetery, and I pray that Hashem hears my prayer and restores our Jewish community to its days of glory."

What is your final message?

"I call on the people of Israel: Come visit my home and pray with me. Every morning I pray to Hashem to send me a minyan of Jews, so together we can take the Torah scrolls out of the ark. Our synagogue has two beautiful and ornate Torah scrolls, and I hope that soon I can take them out in song and dance and read from them together with all the people of Israel."

The ancient Torah scrolls in the synagogue