Zablon Simintov

Zablon Simintov, born in nineteen fifty-nine, is a notable figure in the history of Afghan Jewry. As a former carpet trader and restaurateur, he became a symbol of resilience in a country where his community faced immense challenges. For over a decade, from two thousand five until his evacuation in two thousand twenty-one, he was widely regarded as the last Jew living in Afghanistan.

Simintov's life was deeply intertwined with the Kabul synagogue, the only one in the Afghan capital. He not only served as its caretaker but also resided within its walls, preserving a vital piece of Jewish heritage in a region where such traditions were increasingly at risk.

His journey took a dramatic turn on September seventh, two thousand twenty-one, when he left Afghanistan shortly after the Taliban's takeover. With the assistance of a private security company organized by Israeli-American businessman Mordechai Kahana and American rabbi Moshe Margaretten from the Tzedek Association, Simintov was able to escape the precarious situation he faced.