Figure 1.--This photo post card shows Jewish Boy Scouts raising a Jewish Boy Scout flag with A Star of David. We think it may have been taken in Alexandria. In the background is a sign "Anglo Egyptian Saloon". The photograoh was taken in 1920. More details are on the back, but written in Hebrew so we do not know just what it says. Put your cursor on the image to see the message on back of the card.

Jews have lived in Egypt almost continuously for two millennia, even longer if you tke unto account the Hebrew population described in Exodus. Beginning at about the same time that Scouting was founded, the Jewish community in Egypt experienced very significant changes resulting from two World Wars and Egyptian independence. Egypt is a predominately Muslim country. There were some minority groups. There was a substantial Christian (Coptic) minority which in recent years has come under increasing pressure from fundamentist Muslims. There was also a small Jewish population which after the intensification of the Aran-Isreali conflict was expelled. There was also a small British community in Egypt until after World War II. Jews wee affected by the rise in Aran anti-Semitism at first centered in Palestinr (1920s). Jews began to be affected by the rise in European anti-Semitism (1930s) and were in great peril during World War II when the Garman Afrika Korps almost reached Alexandria and Cairo. Anyti-Semitism continued to grow with the outbreak of vilonence between Arabs and Jews in Palestine. Life foir Jews became increasingky difficult until they were finally deported following the Seven Years War (1967). The Egyptian Scouting federation was founded (1914) We do not know to what extent Egyptian Scouting was integrated. Nor do we know much about Jewish Scouting in Egypt. Inter-War Cairo had a vibrant Jewish community. [Laskier] We know a range of social organizations. There were several Jewish orchestras and Jewish theaters including one in Yiddish. There were also Maccabi sport and boy scouts troops. Here we see a Jewish troop raising a Jeish Scout flag (1920).

Sources

Laskier, Michael M. The Jews of Egypt, 1920-1970: In the Midst of Zionism, Anti-Semitism, and the Middle East Conflict.