Episode: 7
The Rescue of the Jews of Syria
1970-1994
Episode 7: THE RESCUE OF THE JEWS OF SYRIA (1970-1994) tells the story of the harsh and restrictive life of the Jews who were still trapped in Syria, the international human rights response to their plight, and how the Sephardic community in Brooklyn came together to help free them. It includes the story of the proxy brides, a handful of young women permitted to leave Syria in 1977, and how the Council for the Rescue of Syrian Jews, a community organization in Brooklyn, fought triumphantly to free the remaining Syrian Jews, who were finally allowed to leave in 1992. And we learn how Sephardic Bikur Holim, a charitable organization in Brooklyn, galvanized the community to support and welcome the new arrivals.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM EPISODE 7
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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 3: LIFE IN BENSONHURST
(1920-1939)
Episode 3: LIFE IN BENSONHURST covers the move to Bensonhurst Brooklyn, and life on Bay Parkway. It includes the building of Magen David Synagogue, the first Syrian synagogue on American soil, and the Talmud Torah, led by the great Rabbi Matloub Abadi. We hear about the Ahi Ezer synagogue built by the Damascus community – and how the two communities, divided in Syria, became united as one in the United States. This episode includes the Great Depression, when, through their religion and tradition of charity, the community supported each other through the hardships of that time. The film ends with the Edict of 1935, preserving the community’s cohesiveness for generations to come.
Episode 6: THE JEWS OF SYRIA
(1930-1967)
Episode 6: THE JEWS OF SYRIA 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, and the re-settlement of some Syrian Jews.
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
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- Aleppo: Aram Soba, Abraham and Halab
The city of Aleppo has had many names. These include Aram Soba and Halab. -
- Yoab in Aram Soba
King David gives Yoab ben Seruya the city of Aram Soba (Aleppo) as a present after their successful conquest of the city. -
- Pact of Umar
Jerusalem falls to Muslim armies, and some legal protections are granted to followers of other monotheistic religions. -
- Aleppo Codex Written
The Keter Aram Soba is likely written sometime around this year. -
- The Codex Comes to Aleppo
Rabbi David, a direct descendent of the Rambam, travels to Aleppo with the Codex. -
- The Mustabarim
The Dayans, leaders of the Aleppan community of Mustabarim, migrated to Aleppo by the fifteenth century. -
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- Mahzor Aram Soba
The Mahzor Aram Soba is published, preserving the unique liturgy of the Mustarabi community. -
- Hacham Bashi Laniado
Rabbi Shemuel Laniado becomes the first of his family to be appointed chief rabbi. -
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- Arrival of the Francos
Signor Hillel Haim Picciotto first travels to Aleppo from Livorno, Italy. -
- Bet Nasi Synagogue
Aleppo’s Bet Nasi synagogue is constructed. It is the first new synagogue to be built in the city in hundreds of years. -
- The Damascus Affair
Father Tomaso goes missing, and Christians blame the Jews. What came next would be known as The Damascus Affair. -
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- Conscription
Young Jews leave Syria & Turkey and other lands to avoid Ottoman conscription law. -
- Francos Deported
The Francos are deported from Aleppo in retaliation for the Italian invasion of Libya. -
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- Mustarabi Minyan Ends
The last Mustarabi minyan in the Great Synagogue ceases to function. -
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- Dyan Dynasty
Rabbi Yishak Dayan leaves Aleppo, ending the Dayan family’s dynasty. -
- UN Partition of Palestine
Arab mobs riot and set fire to Jewish synagogues, establishments, institutions and homes in response to the UN plan to partition Palestine. -
- Israel is Born
The State of Israel is declared, and Arab nations attack; Jews flee Syria. -
- Restrictions and Violence
Jewish bank accounts are seized in Syria, property is frozen, and a synagogue is bombed. -
- Escape from Rising Tensions
The lives of the Jews of Syria are further restricted, and many escape to Lebanon. -
- Violence at Alliance Universelle Israelite
The backlash against Jews in Lebanon begins to grow. -
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- Mussawi
Identity cards for all Syrian Jews are stamped with a red line, the beginning of the Mussawi stamp. (Image of Syrian ID card with Mussawi stamp.) -
- The Aleppo Codex and the Fahams
The remaining pages of the Keter Aram Soba are smuggled out of Aleppo by Mr. Murad Faham. -
- Ransoms and Escape to Turkey
Jews can leave Syria after the payment of a ransom, and begin escaping to Turkey with the help of Israeli agents. -
- Local Travel Restrictions
Jews are prohibited from traveling more than 3 miles from their hometowns. -
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- Syria After the Six-Day War
The Six-Day War changes the political climate throughout the Middle East. -
- Syrian Jews in Brooklyn Raise Their Voices
The Syrian Jews of Brooklyn say special prayers, and rabbis and political leaders in New York hold rally in support of on behalf of Jews in Syria. -
- The Four Girls
Four Syrian Jewish girls who try to escape through smugglers are raped and murdered. Jews protest in Damascus, and the news spreads throughout the world. -
- Solidarity with Syrian Jews
A ‘week of solidarity’ with Syrian Jews is declared in Israel, Paris, and London. -
- Judy Feld Carr
A rescue campaign for the remaining Syrian Jews is initiated by Canadian Judy Feld Carr. -
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- Taste of Freedom
President Assad allows 2,800 Jews to leave on tourist visas without assets. -
