Since the 20th century, the number of Jews in Egypt decreased by more than 80 percent, with many fleeing the country. Today, it is reported that there are only less than 10 elderly Egyptian members in the community. Just recently, Egypt reopened a newly renovated 14th-century synagogue in Alexandria within the framework of the state’s strategy to restore the country’s rich cultural heritage. However, cultural heritage also goes beyond restoring synagogues or architectural buildings; it also includes recognizing the figures and families that contributed to building Egypt’s identity over time. According to ‘On the Mediterranean and the Nile: The Jews of Egypt’ by Aimée Israel-Pelletier, Jews were dominant in the film industry in Egypt in the 1930s and 40s, producing great actors such as Laila Mourad, Nagua Salem and Beshar Wakim, as well as other directors and producers such as the leading film distributors Zaki Bonan of Behna Films. Below are some of the figures among Egyptian Jews who impacted the fields of art and cinema. 1. Mounir Mourad (Birth name: Maurice Zaki Mordechai) Mounir Mourad was an Egyptian singer, actor, and distinguished composer who played an important role in…
