Cypriot Jews: A Two-Millennia History

The Jewish presence in Cyprus is one of the oldest continuous diaspora communities, spanning over 2,300 years. Their history mirrors the island's turbulent conquests.

Historical Arc

• Hellenistic/Roman Era (3rd c. BCE – 4th c. CE): Large communities in Salamis, Paphos, Kition. The Acts of the Apostles records Barnabas (a Cypriot Jew) and Paul preaching there. The 115–117 CE Diaspora Revolt against Rome devastated the community; Salamis was destroyed.
• Byzantine Period: Restrictions under Christian emperors; community declined but persisted.
• Medieval (Crusader/Lusignan/Venetian, 1191–1571): Revival. Jews from Europe and Levant settled in Famagusta, Nicosia. Engaged in trade, textile dyeing, medicine. Suffered under Venetian restrictions.
• Ottoman Rule (1571–1878): Status as dhimmis. Community stabilized; Sephardic refugees from Iberia arrived. 19th-century travelers noted a few hundred families.
• British Era (1878–1960) & Independence: Slow growth. WWII: Cyprus hosted Jewish refugees (detention camps for illegal immigrants to Palestine). 1948: Many left for Israel.

Today

Approx. 1,500–2,000 Jews live in Cyprus (mostly in Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca). The community is mixed Ashkenazi/Sephardi, served by a synagogue, Chabad center, Jewish school, and kosher facilities. They are integrated professionals, businesspeople, and a growing number of Israeli expats. The Cyprus Jewish Community Centre in Larnaca is a modern hub.

Cypriot Jews have contributed to commerce, culture, and the island's multicultural fabric for millennia—a living bridge between Europe, the Middle East, and Jewish history.