The Economist: Muslims in Egypt Are Trying to Preserve Its Jewish Heritage

Egypt’s Jewish community, about 80,000 before World War II, has been whittled down to 20 in recent years. The Economist describes an organization made up of Muslims and Jews, Drop of Milk, that is making a concerted effort to “preserve Egypt’s Jewish heritage.” The nation has a contentious past after four devastating wars with Israel, forced conversions and “Jews who worked alongside Egyptians against British colonialism were branded enemies of the state and expelled.” Then, in 2012 Egyptian leaders of the then-ruling Muslim Brotherhood “broke a taboo by calling on those who were expelled to return.” More recently, the nation’s antiquities ministry began restoring the roof of Alexandria’s synagogue. Some critics see the efforts as a calculated move to win favor of Western powers. Or perhaps, “after four decades of relative peace with Israel, Egypt is coming to terms with its Jews.” –YaleGlobal