Jews in Bulgaria

Jews in Bulgaria are scattered in the entire region of Bulgaria and they appeared in the 2nd century. The Bulgaria Jews are also known as Romagnote Jews. Majority of Jews at Bulgaria arrived after 1492, and it was during the time when they were driven from Spain and the Turkish sultan allowed the Jews to settle in the Ottoman Empire.

Presently the Jewish population in Bulgaria is approximately 5,000. Slowly the Jews in Bulgaria settled and developed their own community and they dwelt in the major cities of the country. Some of the Jews were very rich while some poorer sections were also there. A chief rabbinate was created after 1878 for the management of the Jewish organization.

Education of Jews in Bulgaria surpassed three phases. First was the period of medlar and it is the religious Jewish school, which survived before the national independence. Post independence many schools were designed and then came the period of modern national education. The rich section of Jewish children even attended schools of other categories.

Professionally the Jews in Bulgaria are shopkeepers, pedlars, money chargers and some of them are also potters or craftsmen. The Jews in Bulgaria has marked their presence very well in the entire region of Bulgaria in all the aspects and is a significant Bulgaria religion.