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Total population | |
---|---|
300–430 | |
Languages | |
Hebrew (in Israel), Judeo-Tat, Russian | |
Religion | |
Judaism | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Mountain Jews, Ashkenazi Jews. |
The Jewish community in Makhachkala consists of Jews who have lived in the territory of modern Makhachkala, a city in the Russian Republic of Dagestan. During the Persian campaign in 1722, Makhachkala hosted a camp for the troops of Russian Emperor Peter I. Both Mountain Jews and Ashkenazi Jews were allowed to settle there. [1]
During the era of the Khazar Khanate, there was a Khazar settlement in the village of Tarki near Makhachkala. [2] Many Khazar scholars believe that the capital of the Khazar Khanate, the city of Samandar, [3] was located on the site of modern Makhachkala. According to Ibn Hawqal, Jews lived in the city of Samandar in the 10th century and had their own synagogues. [2]
In 1862, the first synagogue was built in the city, where both Ashkenazi Jews and Mountain Jews, including 61 artisans and 20 soldiers of the local garrison, prayed. [1]
During the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria in 1998−1999, several representatives of the Jewish community were kidnapped for ransom. Many Jews from Makhachkala left for Israel and other countries and regions. [8]
Amidst the Gaza war, a group waving Palestinian flags and chanting anti-semitic slogans forcefully entered the Makhachkala airport, looking for Israeli and Jewish travelers arriving on a flight from Tel Aviv. The incident resulted in about 20 injuries, as reported by local health authorities. Passports of some passengers were scrutinized by the crowd. [12] [13]
During the attack in Dagestan on 23 June 2024, Makhachkala's synagogue was set on fire by armed gunmen, possibly affiliated with ISIS. [14] [15]