Andorra Virtual Jewish History Tour
By Or Shaked
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Andorra maintains strong ties with Israel and offers a peaceful environment for its Jewish community, albeit under certain constraints regarding religious practices.
Background
Jewish History
Post-War Jewish Community
Andorra-Israel Relations
The Principality of Andorra, a small landlocked country nestled in the eastern Pyrenees between France and Spain, covers 181 square miles, roughly three times the size of Washington, DC, and has a population of 82,000. It is the world’s only self-declared Catalán-speaking nation. Established in 1278, Andorra was initially governed under a unique co-principality shared by French and Spanish leaders until 1993, when it transitioned to a parliamentary democracy with the co-princes remaining as titular heads of state. Roman Catholicism has been the state religion since its founding.
Today, Andorra is renowned for its skiing resorts, duty-free shopping, and status as a tax haven, attracting approximately 8 million tourists annually. The country has become a wealthy international commercial center due to its mature banking sector, low taxes, and openness to foreign investment. Although not a member of the European Union, Andorra enjoys a special relationship with the bloc, uses the euro, and has engaged in various reforms to modernize its economy and infrastructure.
The Jewish history and culture of Andorra were practically nonexistent after the expulsion of Jews from the Iberian Peninsula in the 1490s. Jews were again permitted to enter in the 19th century, but it was not until World War II that the first Jewish immigrants settled in Andorra. From 1939-1945, more than 20,000 Jews escaping the Holocaust passed through the Pyrenees. They traveled to the village of Les on the French border in the Val d’Aran, which served as a crossing point for the escape routes (or freedom trails). The Andorrans provided food and shelter to these Jewish refugees, most of whom continued on to Spain and Portugal, seeking exit from Europe. The perilous journeys could last between three and seven days, with threats of immediate death or deportation by the Nazis or French Vichy police or capture by the Franco government at the end of the journey, leading to imprisonment in the Miranda de Ebro concentration camp.
In 1967, an influx of Jewish immigrants from Morocco arrived during the Six-Day War. These Moroccan Jews, along with others from Argentina, Spain, Israel, and elsewhere, now form the majority of Andorra’s Jewish population. The Jewish community faced challenges due to Andorran laws that forbade any religious organizations other than Catholic until 1998, when the Jewish cultural association, Associació Cultural Israelita de les Valls d’Andorra (ACIV), was established.
In 2000, the community opened and consecrated a small cultural center in the capital, Andorra La Vella. The cultural center serves as the primary venue for Jewish worship, though it is not officially recognized as a synagogue due to Andorran laws prohibiting non-Catholic houses of worship. Despite the community’s small size, it is visible and integrated, maintaining its cultural and religious practices in a country that has no historical record of anti-Semitism.
When ACIV was established, Andorra was home to around 120 Jews. Since then, 15 of its founding members have died, and many younger congregants have left for Paris. The Jewish population is estimated today at 73. Isaac Benchluch Ayach is the president of the Jewish community, with Baruj Rodriguez and Mercedes Abitbol serving as vice presidents for the religious and cultural commissions, respectively.
Due to the community’s small numbers, Jewish worship and maintaining kosher practices is challenging in Andorra, with only a few members adhering strictly. The lack of facilities like a mikveh and kosher restaurants adds to the challenges. Death poses another issue, as Andorra lacks a Jewish cemetery, forcing Jews to opt for burial in Toulouse or Barcelona. However, negotiations are underway to establish a Jewish cemetery in Escaldes.
In November 2024, the Chabad-Lubavitch movement appointed Kuty Kalmenson as the country’s first full-time rabbi. His mission includes fostering Jewish life, supporting local and visiting Jews, and uniting the diverse Jewish population in a nation visited by millions annually for its shopping and ski resorts.
Politically, the community has made strides, with Salomó Benchluch becoming the first Jewish legislator in Andorran history.
Despite the challenges, many Jews in Andorra express contentment with their lives in this unique and welcoming country.
Relations between Israel and Andorra were established on April 13, 1994. Israel has no ambassador in Andorra, and the Israeli ambassador to Spain also serves as the non-resident ambassador to Andorra. The ties between the two countries are primarily in the areas of tourism and culture. Israeli tourists do not need a visa when entering Andorra.
While other European nations like Spain, Ireland, and Norway have recognized a Palestinian state, Andorra’s Foreign Minister Imma Tor has maintained that the time is not right for such recognition, emphasizing strong relations with Israel and the increasing number of Israeli tourists.
Sources: Larry Luxner, “An unofficial synagogue and virtually no antisemitism: Meet Andorra’s tiny Jewish community,” Times of Israel, (July 24, 2024).
“Andorra,” CIA World Factbook 2024, (July 24, 2024).
“Bilateral Affairs,” Govern d’Andorra [Catalan].
“Travel to Andorra,” Govern d’Andorra.
“A little of our history...,” Associació Cultural Israelita de les Valls d´Andorra.
“Andorra,” Jews Were Here.
Philissa Cramer, “Andorra, where non-Catholic houses of worship are illegal, gets its first full-time rabbi,” JTA, (December 2, 2024).
Map: CIA World Factbook 2024.
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