Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

First Group of Hadramauti Jews Arrives by Plane in Israel; Eager to Begin Work

August 29, 1950
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

The first group of 100 Jews from Hadramaut, British protectorate lying to the east of Aden, arrived here today by plane from Aden. An additional 171 Hadramauti Jews remain in the Aden transit camp awaiting space on a plane.

The men in the group are mostly tall and sunburnt and carry their Torahs wrapped in richly embroidered cloth. The women have abnormally elongated ears which have been stretched by the weight of many heavy silver earrings, and wear a number of silver bracelets on their dark arms some of the young girls already have as many as seven holes pierced in their ear lobes in preparation for jewelry which they will acquire later in life.

The men, who are mostly silversmiths, expressed eagerness to begin working again, complaining of the 30-day period of enforced idleness which they spent in the Aden camp. They proudly displayed scrolls and jewelry which they had made themselves.

A number of the party spoke a little Hebrew and one young man said that “it is good to be in Israel.” Some of the women hugged and kissed the bystanders to express their joy. They asked whether they would be sent to the Einshemer immigrant camp, evidently familiar with its reputation.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement