North African Sephardim North African Sephardim North African Sephardim are a distinct sub-group of Sephardi Jews, who descend from exiled Iberian Jewish families of the late 15th century and North African Maghrebi Jewish communities. Since the creation of the state of Israel in 1948 and the Jewish exodus from Arab and Muslim countries, most North African Sephardim have since relocated to either France or Israel. Several Iberian Jewish families also emigrated back to the Iberian Peninsula to form the core of the Jewish community of Gilbraltar. There are many Jewish communities in the North of Africa, including the communities of the Maghreb, Egypt,
Zagazig (Tell Basta) and Kufur Nigm. Also there is a branch for Al-Azhar University, the largest Islamic university in the world. Zagazig is the birthplace of famous Coptic Egyptian journalist, philosopher and social critic, Salama Moussa. The most notable streets in zagazig are Farouk st, Government st and El kawmia st. The ruins of the ancient Egyptian city of Bubastis are located southeast of town. Bubastis was the ancient capital of the 18th nome, and is home to the feast celebrating the cat goddess Bastet. Bubastis is the Greek version of the Egyptian language name "Pr-Bastet" "House [Temple] of Bastet". Bubastis