What Happened to Mizrachi Jews of Arab Countries? | The Center for Jewish-Inclusive Learning Portal

Topics

Antisemitism
Israel

Summary

In a 6-minute video, suitable for students in grades 6-12, Unpacked explores the history of Mizrachi Jews – Jews who lived for centuries across the Middle East and North Africa and were later forced to flee many Arab countries.

Students dive into the origins of Mizrachi Jews and the richness of their culture, languages, and traditions. This brief but informative video examines how these distinct identities became sources of discrimination, even in the one place expected to offer safety and belonging – Israel.

As threats, persecution, and violence against Jews escalated in many Arab countries following World War II, Mizrahi Jews sought refuge in the land of Israel. There, they encountered additional prejudice from the largely Ashkenazi, or European, Jewish population that had already settled in the region. Students then examine how Mizrahi Jews organized and resisted marginalization, ultimately becoming an essential and influential part of Israeli society and culture.

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