Baku's Jewish school passes 100 students as Azerbaijan's Jewish community continues to grow
To mark the occasion, members of the community gathered with Isayev in a sukkah in Baku, joined by representatives of the Azerbaijani authorities.
The Jewish program at Baku's School No. 46 has surpassed the 100-student milestone, with the Jewish community in Azerbaijan experiencing steady growth over the past few years. The school integrates Azerbaijan's national curriculum with Hebrew, Jewish history, and tradition. Community leaders anticipate that additional space may be needed soon due to the consistent increase in enrollment.
Rabbi Zamir Isayev, head of Baku's Sephardic Jewish community and the program's director since 2008, recently turned 45 years old. To celebrate his birthday, community members gathered with him in a sukkah in Baku, alongside representatives from the Azerbaijani authorities.
Ramin Mammadov, chairman of Azerbaijan's State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, presented Isayev with a congratulatory letter during the event. Mammadov highlighted the Sephardic community's positive impact on Azerbaijan's social and cultural life and its commitment to coexistence. He also emphasized the government's emphasis on tolerance, multiculturalism, and interfaith dialogue as key priorities.
For Rabbi Isayev, the significance of the 100-student mark goes beyond the numerical achievement. Each additional student represents a family choosing Jewish education and the next generation growing up connected to their history, tradition, and community. The growth also reflects the confidence of Jewish families in maintaining a strong Jewish identity while seamlessly integrating into Azerbaijani society.
Beyond his role as a rabbi and educator, Rabbi Isayev has become increasingly active on the international stage. He has frequently visited Washington and Jerusalem, participating in events organized by Jewish groups to strengthen ties among Azerbaijan, Israel, and the United States. During a recent trip to the US, he met with Eric Trump to discuss developments in the Caucasus.
However, for Rabbi Isayev, education remains the core of his work. The need for more classroom space at Baku's Jewish school is a positive indication that the community is not only preserving its institutions but also expanding for the benefit of the next generation.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
