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Exotic Jewish Communities Trivia Quiz

During the long Jewish diaspora, Jews settled in many places around the globe. Some of these communities are large and well-known, while others are not as familiar. See what you know about some of these exotic communities.

A multiple-choice quiz by janetgool. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
janetgool

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
249,626

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
4 / 10

Plays
2282

Awards
Top 5% quiz!

Last 3 plays: Guest 110 (5/10), Guest 172 (5/10), Guest 174 (6/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In 1984, members of this Jewish community were airlifted to Israel in a secret mission known as "Operation Moses". Which African country was their home? Hint

Sudan

Ethiopia

Egypt

Libya

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Question 2 of 10

2. The Bnai Menashe claim they are descended from the biblical tribe of Menashe. Where are they from? Hint

Kashmir, India

Cochin, India

The states of Manipur and Mizoram in India

Nepal

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Question 3 of 10

3. The Jews of Cochin, Kerala, India, have a unique tradition. What is it? Hint

Out of respect for their neighbors, they are all vegetarians

They established a "senhadrin" that continues to this day

All boys are named after one of the twelve tribes

Women's choirs perform in the synagogue

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Question 4 of 10

4. A 1721 treaty between a Christian and a Muslim country guaranteed the right of Jews to live in this unique location. Which is it? Hint

Malta

Gibraltar

Jersey

Corfu

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Question 5 of 10

5. The Afghani Jewish community preserved Jewish learning and observance for hundreds of years. In what Afghani city was the community concentrated? Hint

Mazar

Kabul

Herat

Kanduhar

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Question 6 of 10

6. The Jews of Djerba, an island off the coast of Tunisia, have a special legend concerning the origin of their community. What is it? Hint

The community was founded by members of the tribe of Dan

A local prince invited the Jews to settle during the Middle Ages

The community was founded by the Rambam after he left Spain

The community was settled by "cohenim" following the destruction of the first Temple

7. In the 1930's a Jewish engineer working in Iberia was astonished to discover a community of "annusim", or crypto-Jews, in a mountain town near where he was working. What is the name of the town? Hint

Belmonte, Portugal

Granada, Spain

Coimbra, Portugal

Gerona, Spain

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Question 8 of 10

8. In what Jewish community is the Torah read in both Hebrew and Aramaic? Hint

Bukharian

Syrian

Yemenite

Iraqi

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Question 9 of 10

9. This ancient Jewish community makes its home in the capital of another important world religion. Which city is it? Hint

Rome

Salt Lake City

Mecca

Canterbury

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Question 10 of 10

10. This congregation prays in the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere. Where is it? Hint

Lima, Peru

Newport, Rhode Island

Willemstad, Curacao

Havana, Cuba

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 07 2024 : Guest 110: 5/10
Mar 28 2024 : Guest 172: 5/10
Mar 28 2024 : Guest 174: 6/10
Mar 27 2024 : misdiaslocos: 8/10
Mar 19 2024 : Guest 73: 8/10
Feb 26 2024 : Guest 68: 0/10
Feb 26 2024 : Guest 96: 8/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In 1984, members of this Jewish community were airlifted to Israel in a secret mission known as "Operation Moses". Which African country was their home?

Answer: Ethiopia

Due to famine in Ethiopia, large numbers of this community made their way to Sudan, from where they were airlifted by the Israeli Air Force to Israel. According to legend, the Ethiopian Jews are descendants of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba.

2. The Bnai Menashe claim they are descended from the biblical tribe of Menashe. Where are they from?

Answer: The states of Manipur and Mizoram in India

The Bnai Menashe were not immediately recognized as Jews by the established Jewish community. In 2005 mikvehs, or ritual baths, were built in each province, and the members of the community were formally converted. In the same year Rabbi Amar, the chief Sephardic rabbi of Israel, recognized them as Jews, and many have since made their way to Israel.

3. The Jews of Cochin, Kerala, India, have a unique tradition. What is it?

Answer: Women's choirs perform in the synagogue

The women of the Cochin community perform songs in Judeo-Malayam in the synagogues. The songs are written down in notebooks by the women. Out of concern that this tradition might disappear, the Hebrew University has undertaken to record and preserve this special music. The wrong answers are all nonsensical!

4. A 1721 treaty between a Christian and a Muslim country guaranteed the right of Jews to live in this unique location. Which is it?

Answer: Gibraltar

The Gibraltar Jewish community, though small and rather isolated, has maintained Jewish tradition and supports many Jewish institutions. Manfred R. Lehmann, in his website, describes the Gibraltar Jewish community as "the most charming outside of Israel". The treaty that permitted the original Jewish settlement in Gibraltar was between Morocco and England.

5. The Afghani Jewish community preserved Jewish learning and observance for hundreds of years. In what Afghani city was the community concentrated?

Answer: Herat

Jews arrived in Afganistan after escaping forced conversion in Meshad, Persia. They established four synagogues in the ghetto of Herat, as well as other institutions. During the early years of the State, many Afghani Jews settled in Israel. Others moved to Milan, London and New York, leaving a few isolated individuals in what was once a thriving community.

6. The Jews of Djerba, an island off the coast of Tunisia, have a special legend concerning the origin of their community. What is it?

Answer: The community was settled by "cohenim" following the destruction of the first Temple

Legend has it that the Jewish community of Djerba was founded by priests, or "cohenim", who arrived following the destruction of the First Temple. They brought with them a gate from the Temple, which was incorporated in Djerba's most famous synagogue, called the Ghriba synagogue.

Answer: Belmonte, Portugal

The Jews of Belmonte maintained their distinct traditions and avoided intermarrying for five hundred years. In 1991 some of the community formally converted back to Judaism, and their synagogue was dedicated in 1997. They are a sister city to Rosh Pina, Israel.

8. In what Jewish community is the Torah read in both Hebrew and Aramaic?

Answer: Yemenite

The Yemenite Jewish community has many special traditions - one of the most interesting is their Torah reading ceremony. They read one line in Hebrew, and then repeat it in Aramaic. In 1949-1950 most of the Yemenite Jews were airlifted to Israel. Their Hebrew pronunciation is considered by many to be closest to the biblical Hebrew.

9. This ancient Jewish community makes its home in the capital of another important world religion. Which city is it?

Answer: Rome

Jewish settlement in Rome dates back two thousand years. Living in the capital of the Roman Catholic Church, they were under the protection of the Pope for many years. Roman Jews possess a unique liturgy which is neither Sephardic nor Ashkenazic. In addition, they have made an important contribution to Italy's culinary tradition!

10. This congregation prays in the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere. Where is it?

Answer: Willemstad, Curacao

The community in Curacao was established in 1651 in the Dutch-owned colony by Portuguese Jews fleeing the Inquisition. They continue to use Portuguese for parts of their service. The synagogue is a popular tourist spot as well as a place of worship.

Source: Author janetgool

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor LeoDaVinci before going online.
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