History of the Jews in Cambodia

The history of the Jews in Cambodia is based on very small numbers of Jewish people working or settling in modern-day Cambodia, as well as many Jewish tourists who pass through.

A short article in the Jewish Virtual Library "Jews in Cambodia" states that "Jews and other religious minorities, including Christians, Muslims, and Hindus were sought out and killed by Pol Pot's forces due to their minority status."[1] In addition, the article reports that "Very few Jews reside in Cambodia currently, and the small Jewish community there consists of ex-patriots, NGO workers, travelers, hikers, and adventurers. Approximately 200 Jewish individuals reside in Cambodia year-round, with most of them living in the capital city of Phnom Penh."[1]

Miscellaneous

A Chabad house run by an Orthodox Chabad rabbi is the focal point of Judaism and Jewish religious life in the city of Phnom Penh.[2][3]

An American Jewish attorney, law professor, prosecutor and criminologist Phil Weiner was knighted by the Cambodian government for his training of Cambodian law enforcement officers. He received the prestigious Royal Order of Sahametrei.[4][5]

Elior Koroghli a granddaughter of a Cambodian princess who had converted to Orthodox Judaism. Elior Koroghli is the great-granddaughter of MH King Monivong, who ruled Cambodia until 1941, celebrated her Bat Mitzva in Cambodia.[6][7]

Cambodian women have become a source for the human hair for wigs, known as sheitels worn by very religious Orthodox Jewish women. This has become a lucrative export for Cambodia.[8][9]

A Jewish philanthropy in America, Jewish Helping Hands, helps support an orphanage in Phum Thom and Phnom Penh.[10]

A Jewish philanthropic couple in America, Alan and Elyse Lightman, funded the building of a mosque for the followers of Imam-San: As reported by Ynet: "Imam-San, a small Islamic sect that incorporates Buddhism, Hinduism and animism. The Imam-San makes up about 3 percent of Cambodia's 700,000 Muslims, who themselves represent only 5 percent of Cambodia's 14 million people, according to the US State Department annual report on religious freedom."[11]

Cambodia–Israel relations
Main article: Cambodia–Israel relations

Cambodia–Israel relations are the official relations between Cambodia and Israel. Both countries established diplomatic ties in 1960. In 1972, Cambodia opened its embassy in Israel in Jerusalem.[12] However, Israel cut its ties with Cambodia in 1975 due to the rise of the Khmer Rouge regime. Ties were restored in 1993.[13]

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gollark: Ah yes, a boxing_glove game, very well known.
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References
  1. Levine, Jason. "Jews in Cambodia". jewishvirtuallibrary.org. Jewish Virtual Library. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  2. Chabad Cambodia. "About Us Chabad Cambodia". Jewish Cambodia. Chabad Cambodia. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  3. Maza, Cristina. "Bringing Judaism to the Kingdom". phnompenhpost.com. The Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  4. Masis, Julie (12 September 2019). "Jewish attorney knighted in Cambodia: Phil Weiner honored for training the local police force". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  5. Masis, Julie (28 July 2019). "Jewish law experts help Cambodian genocide victims find justice at tribunal". Times of Israel. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  6. Dolsten, Josefin (15 January 2020). "Granddaughter of a Cambodian princess celebrates her bat mitzvah". Times of Israel. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  7. Edmunds, Donna Rachel. "Cambodian royal family celebrates first bat mitzvah". jpost.com. Jpost. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  8. Masis, Julie. "Bigwigs: How Cambodia Became the 'Hair Apparent' for Observant Jewish Women". haaretz.com. Haaretz. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  9. Masis, Julie. "Jewish Wigmakers Look to Cambodia for Lustrous Sheitel Hair". forward.com. The Forward. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  10. Dunst, Charles. "Jews abroad support a Cambodian man's commitment to his fellow orphans". jta.org. Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  11. Associated Press. "Jewish family builds mosque in Cambodia". ynetnews.com. Ynet News. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  12. Cambodia Has Opened Embassy in Jerusalem; Saigon Expected to Follow
  13. Yeger, Moshe (2004). "The Long Journey To Asia - A Chapter In The Israeli Diplomacy". Israel: University of Haifa. p. 215.


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