This article admits that the departure of skilled Jewish craftsmen and silversmiths from Yemen was a grievous loss to the economy. Ironically enough, objects bearing the Star of David, a badge of quality, are highly sought after today, according to National Yemen:
For thousands of years, Jews in Yemen
excelled in the manufacture of silver, old wooden windows, doors and
boxes, as well as in carving the walls of houses, mosques, and schools,
which are considered today relics and historical places.
Jews were keen to sculpt the Star of
David, a Jewish symbol, in all their works. At the same time, people
were also keen to buy things that had the Star of David because it
indicated quality Jewish work.
However, because of spreading
sectarianism, racism, and hatred between peoples, non-Jews in general
avoid things with the Star of David because of its association with
Israel.
Whether people today love the Star of
David or not, it is sculpted in many old doors, walls, and jewelry in
old Sana’a. Tourists and businessmen pay thousands of riyals to buy
jewelry and other works by the Jews.
Ahmed, 47 and a craftsman in old Sana’a,
said that anything in a Jewish craftsperson’s hand was transformed into a
masterpiece, especially silver and gold pieces, textiles, and
architecture.
“In addition, Jews were responsible and
accurate in their time with customers. Despite people at time
considering craftsmen from the lower class, many preferred Jewish works
and praised their performances. They were called Industry Men in Yemen,” he added.
According to Ahmed, until recently when
most Jews left Yemen, craftsmen were sculpting the Star of David or any
symbols in order to convince people their work was Jewish.
He explained that the traditional
industries of Yemen’s Jews developed with time and place where they
inherited their jobs for each other and watched modern industries that
were brought from abroad through Aden and the Turks.
“All this creativity and magnificent
sense came from the Jews under difficult circumstances faced by Yemen
economically, politically, and socially before the revolution,” said
Ahmed.
According to old families in Sana’a, any
village or neighborhood inhabited by Jews was turned into workshops for
industries and crafts of all kinds.
The emigration of Jews from Yemen led to the deterioration of the Yemeni economy and the extinction of many crafts.
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off topic//
ReplyDeleteWash Po writes that the Iraq govt "might" want back the Torah scroll in the Israeli foreign ministry.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/01/23/how-a-long-lost-torah-went-from-iraq-to-israel-and-why-iraq-may-want-it-back/
off topic//
ReplyDeleteBatto Sfez affair. He was a Jew sentenced to death in Tunisia circa 1860 for blasphemy against Islam.
http://mobile.myjewishlearning.com/history/Modern_History/1700-1914/Emancipation_and_Enlightenment/In_the_East/Muslim_Lands.shtml