The First Cambodian Rabbi

I'm named Arie, I'm from New York City, and I'm on my way to becoming an attorney. It won't surprise anyone to learn that I'm Jewish. Despite my more-or-less-religious upbringing, God has never spoken to me. I had assumed that was more or less universal.

On Friday, I met Adollah, a very nice Cambodian man. Twenty-some-odd years ago, God told him that he had to choose between Judaism and evil. He chose Judaism, and was told that he would found a Jewish community in Cambodia. At least, that's what he says, and he seems like an honest person.

Adollah, then known as Hanh Nen, was living in Phnom Penh when the Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia. Their first official action was to evacuate the city, and overnight a million people were forced from their homes and sent to grow rice. Hanh was sent to the region around Battambang.

The Khmer Rouge executed tens of thousands of people, most for dubious offenses (such as wearing glasses), and millions died of starvation. Hanh was arrested and was sentenced to death. He was not a religious person at the time, but when they came for him and held a knife to his throat, he prayed to a higher power to save him from death. The soldiers sent to kill him decided not to do so, and he suddenly discovered that his handcuffs had come undone. Hanh survived the Khmer Rouge regime, though his entire family was killed.

In 1981, Hanh moved to Sihanoukville. One day, he fell very ill. He saw doctors, but no one could heal him. Near death, he once again prayed to a higher power to save him. This time, God came to him in a dream and told him that if he wanted to recover, he should seek the red bible. Hanh realized that the bibles distributed by Mormon missionaries had red sides. In another dream, God explained that he was infected with a great evil, and it was time for him to choose between the great evil and Israel. Hanh chose Israel.

God explained to Hanh that he was now one of the Jewish people. God told him of the rituals and customs of Jews and of the Jewish holidays. God also told Hanh that just as he had renamed Jacob "Israel" when Jacob joined the Jewish people, so too would Hanh now be known as Adollah. Henceforth, Adollah would be God's rabbi in Phnom Penh.

Adollah lives in Phnom Penh, maybe ten minutes away from the city center. He does not leave his house very often; God has instructed him only to eat kosher foods, and kosher food is hard to find in Cambodia. I met his son Moses ("My dad calls me Moses, but at school I am Somnang") and he took me to see Adollah.

Adollah's home is small but well-appointed. God has instructed him to meet Jewish people and prepare to form a congregation; in 2008, Adollah will have a synagogue. Meanwhile, Adollah is reaching out to the local Jewish community. He is eager to meet as many Jews as possible, and he extends them his hospitality. Adollah says that Jews are always welcome in his home--regardless of whether they are poor, sick, hungry, disabled, or homeless, Adollah will take them in. Adollah also says that through God he can heal the sick.

Adollah does not speak English; fortunately, his son was there to translate for me. He also spoke to me in the language of God, which he learned from God but has not taught to anyone--sadly, I was unable to understand it.

Adollah and his family obey something that resembles modern Jewish law, but with some changes. Adollah says that he sometimes sacrifices animals (as required by the Torah). He observes the holidays, but not always on the days that we would. He says these discrepancies were commanded by God. Who am I to argue?

Jewish? In Phnom Penh? Adollah would like to meet you. He's very friendly, free with his blessings, and he may be able to heal the sick.

If you would like to meet Adollah, send me an email (me (AT) arie (DOT) org) and I'll tell you how to contact him--I'm not going to put his address on the internet. Not until he has his synagogue built, at least.

Edited to add: Reports have started to come in from those who have visited Adollah. First thing we've learned: Adollah is a traditionalist, so if you are of the female persuasion, he will not see you unless you are wearing a long skirt. No word on whether he has made any progress with the synagogue yet. Updates to come, I hope...

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Update: A few people have commented or emailed me for information on how to find other Jews in Cambodia. I'm told that if you'd like to find a (the?) Cambodian Jewish community, you should email (daviejdr (at) gmail (dot) com).