JERUSALEM: Kurdish Rabbonim Form New Association to Preserve Their Torah Heritage
Rabbonim and community leaders gathered in Jerusalem last week to launch an association focused on preserving the Torah writings, halachic traditions, tefillos and piyutim of Kurdish Jewry.
Dozens of rabbonim, roshei yeshiva, dayanim and community leaders from across Israel gathered in Jerusalem last week to establish a new association dedicated to preserving and passing on the Torah heritage of Kurdish Jewry, according to reports published Sunday.
The gathering for the new Igud Chachmei Kurdistan was held at the Keter Torah-Hoja shul in Jerusalem's Katmonim neighborhood. Former religious services minister Michael Malchieli and representatives of the national organization of Kurdish Jews attended.
The association plans to renew the study of the community's rabbinic teachings, publish the writings of its chachomim and encourage learning about their approaches to halacha and community leadership.
Its planned work also includes documenting traditional tefillos and piyutim, producing Torah material about the community's minhagim and supporting Torah activity among Kurdish Jewish communities around Israel.
Senior rabbonim addressed the gathering, alongside leaders of the association. The new body was established through the national organization of Kurdish Jews, which has worked for years on behalf of the community.
Organizers said they want the halachic and spiritual traditions of Kurdish Jewry to remain a living and accessible part of the Torah world for the next generation.