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NEWS
Yemenite Refugees Hoping to Celebrate Pesach in Their Own
Homes
by Yated Ne'eman Staff
The 45 Jews living in al-Salam in Yemen's Sa'ada province are
still afraid to return to their village after fleeing for
their lives following death threats. A local newspaper
reports that those Jews celebrated Purim in a resort town in
the north of the province of Tzana, where security
arrangements are far better. The group was transported on a
special flight based on a decision by President Ali Abdulla
Salah. The government provided the families apartments within
walking distance of one another and a living stipend, and
they were permitted to walk the streets freely. In honor of
the holiday a local retail chain allowed the Jews to select
new clothing for free.
According to a local reporter who visited them on Purim, the
Jews felt a mixture of sorrow and happiness: the children and
the elderly enjoyed the temporary creature comforts provided
them while the adults miss their village — where
battles are now being waged between government forces and
Shiite rebels from the al-Huti tribe.
The village rov, Chacham Yosuf Moussa Salam, tearfully
described how much he misses the seforim in his home,
while his wife Naama offered warm words of thanks for the
generosity and protection provided by President Salah. Now
they are looking toward Pesach and hoping they are able to
celebrate it in their homes like bnei chorin.
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