Episode: 6

The Jews of Syria

1930-1967

Episode 6: THE JEWS OF SYRIA (1930-1967) tells the dramatic story of how the Syrian Jewish community in Aleppo and Damascus (along with other Jews in Arab lands) experienced harsh treatment and violence, and were forbidden to travel or emigrate following the partition of Palestine in 1947. Along the way, we learn about the Aleppo Codex, the Great Synagogue of Aleppo, the riots against the Jews, efforts to escape, Rabbi Kalmanowitz and the Jews of Egypt, and Eli Cohen, the renowned Israeli spy.

RELATED EPISODES

Episode 1: THE BEGINNING

(Antiquity – 1900)

Episode 1: THE BEGINNING tells the story of the Jews of Syria from Biblical times, how Sephardic Jews, expelled from Spain, joined Syria’s ancient Jewish community, and the rise of Jewish merchants during the Ottoman period. It describes Jewish religious practice under Muslim rule, and introduces sacred treasures, such as the Aleppo Codex, the Great Synagogue of Aleppo and the Farhi Bible.  It also traces the roots of Syrian-Jewish cuisine, the musical tradition of Pizmonim, the Damascus Affair, and Shabetai Tzvi – the false Messiah. This episode ends in the early 20th century, with the first wave of emigration from Syria. 

Episode 2: COMING TO AMERICA

(1900-1919) 

Episode 2: COMING TO AMERICA begins in the early 20th century and charts the arrival of Syrian Jews in America. It includes the harrowing boat trip overseas, Ellis Island, and life on the Lower East Side – how the first immigrants worked as peddlers, established their first synagogue, the first Syrian-Jewish stores, restaurants and businesses, as well as institutions such as the burial society and the charitable organization, Maoz Laebyon. We introduce Isaac Shalom, the first great community leader. And we hear how the community faced anti-Syrian sentiment, and preserved their values and customs in the face of assimilation.

Episode 7: THE RESCUE OF THE JEWS OF SYRIA

(1970-1994) 

Episode 7: THE RESCUE OF THE JEWS OF SYRIA tells the story of the later waves of Jews to leave Syria, and how the Brooklyn community came together to welcome them. It includes the story of Eli Cohen, a Syrian Jew who became an Israeli spy and eventually gave his life for his people, and the story of the proxy brides, a handful of young women permitted to leave Syria in 1977. It tells of the efforts of the Council for the Rescue of Syrian Jews, and how finally, in 1992, the last remaining Syrian Jews were allowed to leave. And we learn how Bikur Holim, a charitable organization in Brooklyn, galvanized the community to support the new arrivals. 

SYRIAN JEWISH HISTORY TIMELINE

  • Biblical Times
  • 950 BCE
  • 630s
  • 929
  • 1375
  • 1400s
  • 1492
  • 1527
  • 1565 c.
  • 1665
  • 1732
  • 1760 c.
  • 1840
  • 1869
  • 1892
  • 1909
  • 1911-1912
  • 1918
  • 1930s
  • 1935
  • 1944
  • 1945
  • 1946
  • 1947
  • 1948
  • 1949
  • 1950
  • 1951
  • 1956
  • 1956
  • 1957
  • 1958
  • 1964
  • 1965
  • 1967
  • 1972
  • 1974
  • 1975
  • 1975
  • 1980s
  • 1988
  • 1992
  • 1994