Photographer Meir Alfasi recently made a rare visit to Eritrea – a small country along the Red Sea that is closed, mysterious, and almost completely cut off from the outside world and is often dubbed “the North Korea of Africa.” Yet behind the dramatic image lies a rich and surprising world, full of human stories – including a nearly forgotten Jewish chapter.

During his short four-day visit, Alfasi encountered many faces of this unique place – from the lingering Italian influence visible throughout the streets of Asmara to the remnants of an ancient Jewish community that has endured the test of time.

In Asmara, the capital city, stands the country’s last remaining shul. The building is quiet, modest, and well-kept – a silent witness to a once-vibrant past. Today, only one Jew remains in Eritrea – Sami Cohen, who faithfully cares for the shul.

Sami, a Yemenite-Eritrean Jew, recalls the years when there was a real community: dozens of families, tefillos, Yom Tov celebrations, and a strong sense of belonging. Today, he guards the memory, the faith, and the sacred space itself.

Later in the visit, Alfasi also went to the Jewish cemetery in Asmara. The gravestones tell a poignant story of immigration, exile, commerce, and a once-lively community – and its eventual decline.