The Franji synagogue, DamascusIf on the most solemn day of the Jewish year you find it hard to get a seat in synagogue or end up cramped and overheated in the overflow, you could always try Yom Kippur in Damascus. There's plenty of room at the Franji, Syria's only remaining working synagogue. (With thanks: Janet)
Joey, a young American-Israeli, shot this film of the concluding Ne'ila service. It's typical of services in many Sephardi synagogues, with much out-of-key audience participation, but there is no rabbi. One is struck by how many of the men, led by the community leader Albert Kamao who looks after the elderly and needy, in fact look quite young.
Ten Jewish men make up the minyan, while among the five Jewish women is Rachel, a diplomat working at the US consulate. Rachel told the story of her stay in Damascus to the Philadelphia Jewish Voice.
Mindful that they live in a police state, Joey tries to be circumspect in the questions he asks of the Jews he meets. The 50 or 60 still remaining out of a community of 40,000 seem to do well in business and have the protection of the Assad regime. They seem quite happy; but Joey could not help noticing one old lady wipe away a tear.
4 comments:
I am very interested in receiving further information about the various publications that are available for free, on-line, or for purchase. Both my parents were born in Damascus and left at early ages, betwen 1912-1930. Please forward to me any pertinent information about any organization that has information about the history and heritage of Jews from Damascus. I am also very interested in any information pyblished in Hebrew or English about recent conferences of Sepharadic Jews from Damascus in the USA. Thanks do much for all that you can do.
Respectfully,
Joseph Yedid
Hello Joseph
Suggest you look at the website for 'Image'magazine in the sidebar. Contact the American Sephardi Federation who might be able to put you in touch with the Syrian Jewish community and recommend some publications.
hi my name is henry hamra my father was the chief rabbi of damascus if you some info of the damascus jews i have alot of staff you can also check out www.shaar-binyamin.com very intresting
Dear Henry
How nice to hear from you. I will check out the website Shaar Binyamin.
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