Zablon Simintov
Zablon Simintov | |
|---|---|
 Zablon Simintov in March 2005 | |
| Born | 1959 (age 64–65) |
| Known for | The only remaining Jew who lives permanently in Afghanistan |
Zablon Simintov (born 1959) is thought to be the last Jew in Afghanistan.[1] He was born in Herat. Simintov had lived with the second last remaining Jewish man in Afghanistan, Ishaq Levin, who died on January 26, 2005, aged around 80.
Simintov says it is not easy to practice his religion alone. However, he has obtained special permission from the nearest rabbi, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to slaughter his own meat in line with kosher dietary laws. That can normally only be done by a specially trained and qualified Jewish ritual slaughterer. He says that he receives special kosher packages for Passover from Afghan Jews living in New York.
His wife and two daughters live in Israel. When asked during an interview whether he would emigrate to Israel, Simintov retorted, "Go to Israel? What business do I have there? Why should I leave?"[1]
References[change | change source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Jason Motlagh (September 2, 2007). "The last Jew in Afghanistan". San Francisco Chronicle.
This short article about a person or group of people can be made longer. You can help Wikipedia by adding to it.