- Restrictions and Violence

In 1949, it becomes nearly impossible for Jews to escape Syria – their bank accounts are frozen and the government watches their every move. They monitor every religious observance, and censor prayer books for any references to Israel. Modern Hebrew, as spoken in Israel, is banned. Religious leaders, like Chief Rabbi Yom Tob Yedid of Aleppo, maintained the community’s traditions even when it was against the law. He held the Aleppo community together, keeping the sabbath and educating the boys in an illegal Talmud Torah.

On August 5th, 1949, a bomb was thrown into the Menasha synagogue in in Damascus – 13 people are killed, 32 are wounded.

“That Shabbat evening, the Hazan was my grandfather, Abraham Shamricha. Everyone recognized him, everyone knew him. His neighbor came running home from the synagogue bringing my grandfather’s coat. This I cannot forget. The coat was full of blood. I, as a 5-year-old child, am seeing the blood, the coat, etc.” – Rabbi Abraham Hamra, Episode 6

(Image of Abraham Shamrichan, who was injured in the bombing.)