The Jewish community in Baku is currently preparing for Seder and Passover, in the shadow of the war with Iran and the tensions in the region. Despite the geographical proximity to Iran, in the capital of Azerbaijan, at this stage, a community routine is described that continues almost unchanged, alongside full preparation for the holiday.
The rabbi of the Sephardic community in Baku, Rabbi Zamir Isaev, says that the community’s Passover shop operates as usual every day, the distribution of matzot has already begun, and in the coming days, aid is also expected to be distributed to needy families ahead of the holiday. According to him, the Jewish community institutions continue to operate in a normal format even in the current period. “God willing, we feel at peace, we feel safe,” said Rabbi Issev. According to him, the local security forces work around the clock to maintain the safety of all citizens, including members of the Jewish community.
Issev described a different reality than what he says is felt in some of the Diaspora communities. “There are communities where people are afraid to leave their homes, afraid to go to synagogues,” he said. “Thank God, from this point of view we are here quietly.”
Alongside this, the community also heard criticism of the National Security Headquarters’ warnings ahead of the spring holidays. According to the members of the community, a mistake was made in the warnings regarding Azerbaijan, while Armenia is not mentioned at all, although they claim that the reality for Jews in the two countries is fundamentally different. The community believes that the document creates an inaccurate picture of the situation, and emphasizes that in Azerbaijan they live with a sense of relative security and under constant security, among other things due to publications about thwarting attempts to attack Jewish targets in the country.
Along with preparations for the holiday, the community is anxiously monitoring the situation in Israel and other Jewish communities around the world. “All our prayers are with our brothers, the Bnei Yisrael in Israel and in the Diaspora,” said Rabbi Issev, who expressed hope that by Seder night the security situation would improve.
This year, according to him, there is also a noticeable decrease in the number of Israelis arriving in Baku for Passover, among other things due to the cancellation of a large number of flights. If in previous years relatively many Israeli visitors arrived in the country during the spring period, this time their number is lower. However, he emphasizes that public Passover services are expected to be held in several centers this year, and that the community will help anyone who stays in the country during the holiday. “Those who stayed here, those who couldn’t return, our hands are always open to help,” he said. “There will also be Israelis who will celebrate together with us in the Passover order.”