A report on the situation of the Jews in Bulgaria was issued here today by the Institute of Jewish Affairs of the World Jewish Congress. The report estimates that there are about 6,000 Jews today in Bulgaria, living in Sofia and eleven other localities. They are mostly elderly people, the younger Jews having emigrated to Israel after the last war.
Of the 6,000, about 2,000 have registered for emigration to Israel, but emigration was suspended last July “for the time being,” the report states. It quotes Menahem Cohen, a member of the Central Jewish Consistory of Sofia, as stating that Bulgarian Jews are employed in factories, cooperatives, state enterprises, in the liberal professions, universities, public office, and as journalists and artists.
“The Central Consistory, the executive organ of the Jewish religious communities, does not deal any more with social welfare affairs which have been taken over by the State,” the report says. “In 1957, the sixth conference of the Jewish communities–the first since 1952–took place. The meeting was critical of the work of the Consistory. It is not clear, although it could be inferred from the reports that this was due, at least in part, to the principles which guided the cultural work of the Consistory. Its work was described as “part of the activity of our government and our party,” the approach to Jewish problems being based on the “guiding light of Marxism-Leninism.”
“The Conference decided to form a Cultural Association of Bulgarian Jews with branches in Sofia and the provinces,” the WJC report continues. “The Consistory has the leading part in the Association. In addition to this new body, there exists the cultural body “Cituliste,” which also has branches in Sofia and the provinces. It cooperates with the Consistory. Upon the establishment of the Cultural Association, the communities held constituent assemblies of the branch associations in Sofia and a number of other cities. The branches are apparently not large: the meeting in Sofia was attended by 250 persons.”
According to the Chief Rabbi in Sofia, he is the only rabbi in the country; in addition, there are a number of cantors who officiate at services in the various synagogues, the WJC report states.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
