News
Latest News
news bulletin
Breaking Headlines
Israel-Gaza War Updates
Variety and Tech
Sports News
Middle East News
World News
Lebanon News
Press Highlights
Lebanon Economy
News Bulletin Reports
Other News
Breaking Headlines
Israel-Gaza War Updates
Variety and Tech
Sports News
Middle East News
World News
Lebanon News
Press Highlights
Lebanon Economy
News Bulletin Reports
Beirut
12
o
Bekaa
5
o
Keserwan
13
o
Metn
13
o
Mount Lebanon
10
o
North
13
o
South
12
o
Live
Video
Audio
Schedule
shows
العربية
watching now
Nightly News Bulletin
SUBSCRIBE
Home
Notification
Live
Video
Audio
shows
Beirut
12
o
Bekaa
5
o
Keserwan
13
o
Metn
13
o
Mount Lebanon
10
o
North
13
o
South
12
o
News
Programs
The News
Breaking Headlines
Israel-Gaza War Updates
Variety and Tech
Sports News
Middle East News
World News
Lebanon News
Press Highlights
Lebanon Economy
News Bulletin Reports
Programs
Documentaries
Lebanon’s Centennial
News Bulletin
The Untold History
Talk Show
Series
Sports
Variety
Other
Comedy
Oldies
Breaking News
Latest News
Highlighted News
Most Read
Videos
العربية
Watch the latest programs and the latest developments on your favorite screen
Shows
Join millions of followers
Who We Are
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Careers
Channel frequencies
Privacy Policy
Terms and Conditions
Syria's historic Jewish community fades as ancient synagogue lies in ruins
News Bulletin Reports
04-01-2025 | 13:10
High views
Share
Share
2
min
Syria's historic Jewish community fades as ancient synagogue lies in ruins
Report by Yazbek Wehbe, English adaptation by Mariella Succar
Few are aware that Jewish communities once had a significant presence in Arab countries, including Syria, where they numbered in the tens of thousands at the end of the 19th century. Today, only nine remain.
The decline began with World War I and escalated after the establishment of Israel in 1948.
Thousands of Syrian Jews migrated to Palestine, while others relocated to the United States and Latin America.
In Damascus, the neighborhood of Jobar stood as a testament to this history, home to one of the world's oldest synagogues, the Eliyahu Hanavi (Elijah the Prophet) Synagogue, believed to date back to 720 BCE.
According to biblical tradition, the prophet Elisha was anointed in a cave beneath the synagogue by Elijah, his mentor.
The synagogue suffered significant damage during the Syrian war.
Militants reportedly looted and vandalized its contents, including Torah scrolls written on deer skin, chandeliers, and religious artifacts.
Airstrikes later destroyed it during the government's efforts to expel opposition forces from the area.
Today, the synagogue lies in ruins. However, the leader of Syria's Jewish community has received promises from expatriate Jews to fund its reconstruction.
Before the war, the synagogue accommodated religious practices for the dwindling Jewish population in Syria.
By 2000, only about 120 Jews remained in the country, following the emigration of hundreds after 1992, when the Syrian government lifted restrictions on their migration.
While it is unlikely that Jews will return to Syria in significant numbers, rebuilding the historic synagogue could transform it into a cultural and historical landmark, symbolizing the region's rich diversity of civilizations and religions.
News Bulletin Reports
Middle East News
Jews
Community
Middle East
Syria
Damascus
Next
Uncertainty surrounds Israel's stance on military withdrawal and border strategy in Lebanon
Israel plans 12 military posts along Lebanon's border, eyes 'safe zone' for security
Previous
Related Articles
d-none hideMe
0
News Bulletin Reports
2025-01-08
Lebanon's border villages left in ruins as Lebanese army regains territory from Israeli forces
News Bulletin Reports
2025-01-08
Lebanon's border villages left in ruins as Lebanese army regains territory from Israeli forces
0
News Bulletin Reports
2025-02-05
Destruction in south Lebanon's Yaroun: Israeli bombings, demolitions leave historical sites in ruins
News Bulletin Reports
2025-02-05
Destruction in south Lebanon's Yaroun: Israeli bombings, demolitions leave historical sites in ruins
0
World News
2025-01-30
DRC President blasts international community 'inaction' as Rwanda-backed fighters advance
World News
2025-01-30
DRC President blasts international community 'inaction' as Rwanda-backed fighters advance
0
News Bulletin Reports
2025-02-11
Foreign Ministry handover: Key strength in Lebanon's ties with the international community
News Bulletin Reports
2025-02-11
Foreign Ministry handover: Key strength in Lebanon's ties with the international community
Recommended For You
d-none hideMe
0
News Bulletin Reports
12:52
Israeli army calls for extended deployment in South Lebanon, citing Iran's support for Hezbollah
News Bulletin Reports
12:52
Israeli army calls for extended deployment in South Lebanon, citing Iran's support for Hezbollah
0
News Bulletin Reports
12:50
PM Nawaf Salam's vision: A government to enforce the full Taif Agreement
News Bulletin Reports
12:50
PM Nawaf Salam's vision: A government to enforce the full Taif Agreement
0
News Bulletin Reports
2025-02-11
Foreign Ministry handover: Key strength in Lebanon's ties with the international community
News Bulletin Reports
2025-02-11
Foreign Ministry handover: Key strength in Lebanon's ties with the international community
0
News Bulletin Reports
2025-02-11
Interior Ministry handover: Heavy responsibilities await new minister
News Bulletin Reports
2025-02-11
Interior Ministry handover: Heavy responsibilities await new minister
Subscribe to our VOD
SUBSCRIBE
Our visitors readings
d-none hideMe
0
Lebanon News
12:16
Loud sonic booms heard across several areas in Lebanon
Lebanon News
12:16
Loud sonic booms heard across several areas in Lebanon
0
News Bulletin Reports
2025-01-16
Prisoner exchange deal set to begin Sunday: A breakdown of the phases
News Bulletin Reports
2025-01-16
Prisoner exchange deal set to begin Sunday: A breakdown of the phases
0
Lebanon News
2025-02-07
Israel says it struck alleged Hezbollah sites in Lebanon, citing 'ceasefire violation'
Lebanon News
2025-02-07
Israel says it struck alleged Hezbollah sites in Lebanon, citing 'ceasefire violation'
0
News Bulletin Reports
2025-02-06
US delegation's agenda in Beirut: Key talks on ceasefire, border disputes, and prisoner exchange
News Bulletin Reports
2025-02-06
US delegation's agenda in Beirut: Key talks on ceasefire, border disputes, and prisoner exchange
Videos
d-none hideMe
0
Lebanon News
2025-02-10
Armed robbery in Beirut's Hamra turns deadly as shop owner shoots fleeing robbers (Video)
Lebanon News
2025-02-10
Armed robbery in Beirut's Hamra turns deadly as shop owner shoots fleeing robbers (Video)
0
Lebanon News
2025-01-31
Egypt's FM reaffirms Lebanon's sovereignty in government formation after meeting PM-designate
Lebanon News
2025-01-31
Egypt's FM reaffirms Lebanon's sovereignty in government formation after meeting PM-designate
0
Lebanon News
2025-01-31
Israeli airstrike destroys main road between Syria and Lebanon, cuts power lines
Lebanon News
2025-01-31
Israeli airstrike destroys main road between Syria and Lebanon, cuts power lines
0
Lebanon News
2025-01-27
MP Samy Gemayel says all positive dialogue is met with disruptive actions
Lebanon News
2025-01-27
MP Samy Gemayel says all positive dialogue is met with disruptive actions
0
Lebanon News
2025-01-26
LBCI's sources: Lebanese Army enters several border towns in South Lebanon
Lebanon News
2025-01-26
LBCI's sources: Lebanese Army enters several border towns in South Lebanon
0
Lebanon News
2025-01-26
LBCI captures Israeli forces positioned on a house in South Lebanon's Yaroun (Video)
Lebanon News
2025-01-26
LBCI captures Israeli forces positioned on a house in South Lebanon's Yaroun (Video)
0
Lebanon News
2025-01-25
LBCI exclusive footage shows aftermath of Israeli army presence in Tayr Harfa, south Lebanon
Lebanon News
2025-01-25
LBCI exclusive footage shows aftermath of Israeli army presence in Tayr Harfa, south Lebanon
0
Lebanon News
2025-01-23
French-language news returns to Tele Liban after 24 years with "Le Journal" starting Thursday
Lebanon News
2025-01-23
French-language news returns to Tele Liban after 24 years with "Le Journal" starting Thursday
0
Lebanon News
2025-01-22
Lebanese army allows residents to return to southern villages
Lebanon News
2025-01-22
Lebanese army allows residents to return to southern villages
Most read
d-none hideMe
24 hours
7 days
Month
1
Lebanon News
04:51
Lebanon rejects Israeli request to remain in southern positions until February 28, sources tell LBCI
Lebanon News
04:51
Lebanon rejects Israeli request to remain in southern positions until February 28, sources tell LBCI
2
Lebanon News
12:16
Loud sonic booms heard across several areas in Lebanon
Lebanon News
12:16
Loud sonic booms heard across several areas in Lebanon
3
Lebanon News
00:50
Lebanon's PM Nawaf Salam pushes reforms, vows Resolution 1701 implementation, and rejects deposit write-offs: The details
Lebanon News
00:50
Lebanon's PM Nawaf Salam pushes reforms, vows Resolution 1701 implementation, and rejects deposit write-offs: The details
4
Lebanon Economy
01:19
Finance Minister Yassine Jaber affirms on LBCI: Deposit write-offs not a consideration for Lebanon's government
Lebanon Economy
01:19
Finance Minister Yassine Jaber affirms on LBCI: Deposit write-offs not a consideration for Lebanon's government
5
Lebanon News
07:31
Israel's army spokesperson urges Lebanese residents to avoid moving south as military deployment continues
Lebanon News
07:31
Israel's army spokesperson urges Lebanese residents to avoid moving south as military deployment continues
6
Lebanon News
10:56
US grants Israel permission for 'long-term' presence in South Lebanon, Israeli officials say
Lebanon News
10:56
US grants Israel permission for 'long-term' presence in South Lebanon, Israeli officials say
7
Lebanon News
11:12
Lebanese Presidency denies agreement on ceasefire extension beyond Eid al-Fitr
Lebanon News
11:12
Lebanese Presidency denies agreement on ceasefire extension beyond Eid al-Fitr
8
Lebanon News
06:48
Israel requests to maintain presence at five points in south Lebanon until February 28, sources tell Reuters
Lebanon News
06:48
Israel requests to maintain presence at five points in south Lebanon until February 28, sources tell Reuters
Download now the LBCI mobile app
To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world
Google Play
App Store
We use
cookies
We use
cookies
to make
your experience on this
website better.
Accept
Learn More