Local Egyptian Jews recall exodus

The most respected institution in Egypt is not taking sides. Standing by as supporters and opponents of embattled President Hosni Mubarak fight on in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, the soldiers are also guarding the Ben Ezra synagogue from potential looters.

“I spoke just now with Mrs. Weinstein, the President of the Cairo Community. She is safe and sound and indicates that army security forces have replaced the police guarding the synagogues,” Yves Fedida of the France-based Nebi Daniel Association wrote in an email.

The Jewish community in Egypt numbers only a few dozen individuals, but it has numerous synagogues and cemeteries to maintain. Carmen Weinstein’s chief task is raising funds for their upkeep.

“Weinstein raised the money, got the squatters out of the cemetery and identified the graves,” said NYU political science professor Youssef Cohen, 63, who last visited Egypt in 1998.

Following the overthrow of the monarchy in 1952, the government’s strong Arab nationalism and opposition to Israel led to a massive exodus of the once sizable community. Under Murabak, Egypt became a major recipient of American aid in return for keeping the peace with neighboring Israel.

“Mubarak was a highly westernized man. He wanted to create a modern Egypt, but there was too much poverty and unemployment. That’s what’s fueling the problem,” said Cohen.

Cohen said that on his last visit he did not experience overt anti-Semitism, but conceded that it was only because he was in contact with a limited segment of the population.

“These were secular intellectuals and they were very friendly. My name is Cohen so everyone knew that I was Jewish,” said Cohen. The highlight of Cohen’s visit was the restored Bassatine Cemetery outside Cairo, where his mother is buried.

“She died when I was 5, so I don’t really remember her,” said Cohen. Last year, he published “Odette,” a fictionalized memoir of his childhood exodus to Europe, Brazil, and United States, and his return to visit the grave of the mother he barely knew.

The other Egyptian city with a Jewish population, Alexandria is having a tougher time amid the unrest.