Cyprus

Information

Demography

There are 3,000 resident Jewish families in Cyprus, approximately 11,000 individuals. Many are expatriates from Israel, Russia and the United Kingdom. A further 4-5,000 Jewish Ukrainians have sought refuge and this number is rising. The community is mainly located in Nicosia as well as Limassol, Larnaca, Ayia Napa and Paphos.

History

The history of the Jewish community in Cyprus dates back to the Roman Empire when three ancient synagogues existed. Jews were temporarily banned during the reign of Trajan as a punishment for participating in a revolt against the Romans. 

Between the 12th and 15th centuries, the Jewish population in Cyprus was the largest of all the Greek islands. In the 14th century, Jews were granted equal rights and this encouraged Jewish immigration from Egypt.

The community diminished under the Ottoman occupation in the 16th century, however once Cyprus was under British rule in 1878, Jews began to return again, predominantly from Russia and Romania.

WW2 brought hundreds of refugees fleeing the Nazis. After the war, thousands of Holocaust survivors were confined by the British in Cyprus for trying to enter Palestine 'illegally'. There is now a memorial for them in the Garden of Peace, Nicosia.

Many emigrated to Israel in 1948.

After Cyprus declared independence in 1960, there was a further decline in the Jewish population.

Community Life

The first permanent synagogue was not built until 2005 in Larnaca. There are now five which hold regular services: Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Ayia Napa. 

Several mikvot serve the community: one in Limassol, two in Larnaca, and one in Paphos.

Chabad have a presence on the island.

There is a Jewish cemetery in Larnaca which dates back to 1873.

There are plans to build a Jewish Museum  and library.

Kashrut

 Each city has a kosher shop which also offer ready meals, take aways and eat-in options.

Education

There are two primary schools in Cyprus: Limassol and Larnaca. Nicosia has a nursery.

Cheder is available for children and education programmes are run for adults.

Youth

Bi-monthly group activities accomodate both children and teenagers.  

Affiliations

Commonwealth Jewish Council

European Jewish Congress

World Jewish Congress