Jewish Presidents

The Jewish community was headed by a President, or Nassi. This was not an elected position but was assumed by members of the influential and wealthy Moshe (Messa) family. The President represented the community and was financially responsible for education, homes and food for the poor, synagogues, hospitals and most importantly for the Beth Din, which was the Jewish Court of Law, presided over by at least 3 rabbis. The Beth Din generally dealt with disputes over marriage and business, wielding enormous power over members.

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The first President, from 1839 till his death in the 1880's, was Menahem Moshe. Keenly aware of the benefits of a strong alliance with the British rulers to protect the Jews from subjection to the Muslims, he became a major supplier to the ever-growing military and civil service. He worked tirelessly for modern education and supported the entry of Jewish girls into the Good Shepherd Convent School whilst there were no Jewish schools available. 

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The second President was Menahem's son, Banin Menahem Moshe who on February 16 1911 was appointed a Member of the Royal Victorian Order, 4th Class. His prolific business portfolio listed him in 1921 as a principal shareholder of the newly-formed Eastern & General Syndicate Ltd., a company established to 'deal with concessions in Arabia'. In 1860 he built a 2-storey hostel, the Beth al-Qedhash, affording free shelter to satisfy a critical accommodation problem for the surge of Jewish refugees from Yemen.  In 1901 he built the big synagogue in Crater (Magen Abraham).

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Yehouda Menahem Moshe was the 3rd President of the Aden Jewish Community (Adanim) and founder of the King George V Jewish Boys School in 1912. This school, located in Crater, was burnt in the riots of 3rd of December 1947. 

 

Selim Menahem Moshe was the 4th President of the Aden Jewish community. Selim founded The Selim Girl's School in 1929 which was located next to King George V Jewish Boys School which was also gutted in the 1947 riots. 

He was President of the Jewish community between 1926 -1937. He also founded in Crater a synagogue, a shelter house, and in Sheikh Othman about 20 small buildings for the Jews who wanted to relax from the hot days in Crater. Also founded a synagogue in Port Said (with his brothers). He did all this with his own money. He was one of the Aden City committee . As part of the famous Menahem Messa family he held part of the family firm, known as "Menachem Messa". Born in about 1870, died in 1950.

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The 5th and last President was Bentov Messa, nephew of Selim, who held the position until 1967. Bentov owned a furniture store in Crater. Bentov died in 1977.

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