Egypt has witnessed the passage of an eclectic and diverse tapestry of cultural traditions, a cornerstone of which was Judaism. With a vast history of interfaith coexistence, one often shrouded by an air of tension and mourning, Judaic culture has defined Egyptian identity for countless generations. Residing in Cairo and Alexandria, Egyptian Jews were often multicultural and multilingual. They excelled in medicine, the arts, politics and international trade. In 969 CE, under Fatimid rule, Egyptian Jews held positions in government and local courts. During these periods, Jewish culture freely intermingled, engaged and fused with Arab traditions and society. From the triumphs of Alexander the Great, to the Napoleonic and British conquests of Egypt in the 1800s, Jews have been an integral part of socio-political life within Egypt. That is, until the arrival of the 20th century. The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, and the impending revolution of 1952 under the leadership of Gamal Abd El-Nasser dissolved a period of prosperity and influence into turmoil and despair. As a result, this saw the departure of a significant portion of the Egyptian Jewish community. The situation became untenable in…
