The last Jew in Afghanistan

Zablon Simintov is always guaranteed the best seat in his local synagogue here, but the privilege comes with a downside: he's the last Jew in Afghanistan. The country's 800-year-old Jewish community -- an estimated 40,000 strong at its peak -- is now a party of one. But Simintov, for his part, isn't going anywhere soon. For more than a decade, he has refused to join his wife and two teenage daughters in Israel.

CNN source
MSNBC source

This is just wild!! I couldn't believe it when I read it. So only one Jew left in an entire country, that is something to really think about. Anyways I thought I would share this crazy story with you all, cheers!

His quotes make him sound like a bitter, sour prick honestly.

Just like the broader tragedy that is the nation of Afghanistan, this case could be viewed as a consequence of Islamic fundamentalism -OR- exploitation of foreign interests since WWII. I lean towards the latter.

reply to post by SteveZ


Curious that the synagogue has survived when so much has been destroyed. Afghanistan was actually a very pretty place at one time- very modern. Western. I knew when all that went to hell, but I've forgotten why.
It made me think of Iran under Mossadegh.

He's not the only Jew in Afgh.
There are hundreds in the US Military
Occupational Forces.