November: Remarkable Story of the Baghdadi Jews
November 1, 8, 15, 22 at 7:00 PM Eastern
The series, The Remarkable Story of the Baghdadi Jews, is the compelling story of a Jewish community many may know little about. Since the time of Queen Esther, Jews have been living and thriving in Baghdad. Come hear their story of survival, scholarship, and eventual departure. Josh Sofaer is himself a descendant of Baghdadi Jews.
Meet Your Instructor
Joshua Sofaer
Josh Sofaer was raised in a secular Jewish home in the San Francisco Bay Area. Born into a Sephardi Jewish family whose roots trace from Iraq through India, he grew up with a unique Jewish identity shaped by both home-based Mizrachi traditions and a strong commitment to social action. Central to his family’s values was the desire to help build a more peaceful and healthy world.
At the age of 18, while traveling abroad, Josh encountered Yeshua. That experience profoundly changed the course of his life and set in motion a series of significant changes within just a few years. He joined a local church, moved to New York City, attended and graduated from Brooklyn College, met his future wife, Annette, and joined the staff of Jews for Jesus.
Josh served with Jews for Jesus for more than 30 years in a variety of leadership roles. In April 2026, he concluded his service as Director of Staff Development. In July of the same year, he became Rabbi of Beth Emunah Messianic Congregation in Agoura Hills, California, where he now leads the congregation in its mission of discipleship, outreach, and spiritual growth.
Josh and Annette have been married for many years and have two daughters, Eliana and Taliah, as well as a son-in-law, Patrick. In his free time, Josh enjoys history, golf, and woodworking.