Something MUST be done…
October 4th, 2006 at 1:31 amSomething has to be done, someone has to say something, and somebody needs to speak out. Last night I came across a Lebanese directory (can’t disclose details) and I came across MANY names of people in Lebanon with undoubtedly Jewish names. I had a strange feeling; one of happiness that our community still exists and yet a deep feeling of discomfort. Discomfort for a people who live amidst the montage we call Lebanese society, a people living in our shadows.
It is now the duty of us all; particularly the Christian and Muslim Lebanese to understand this moral and humanitarian plea, to truly embrace the Lebanese cause which is ultimately the cause of humanity- religious and cultural coexistence.
I can not believe that we as Lebanese are comfortable knowing that in fact, an integral part of our nation, an entire religious community is living in the dark in the name of ignorance.
Let it be known, this isn’t a conclusive story from the history of Lebanon. Something will be done, this story will be heard, and if we continue to live in the dark generations of tomorrow will be held accountable for the mistakes we commit today.
All for the homeland,
All for Lebanon!
Kirsten Said,
October 4, 2006 @ 6:48 pm
I am so pleased to read this article. Just this past weekend a non- Jew and non- lebanese friend of mine decided to tell me there were NO LEBANESE JEWS…or as she put it, There are not any Lebanese Jews, I said yes there are and she ignorantly replied, well I have never met any.
I wanted to tell her, that she doesn’t know everyone in the world but I didnt.
When I sent her this article among other I received no response. Oh well.
Brad Abu Sleiman Said,
October 4, 2006 @ 7:08 pm
I agree totally. All religious groups must be protected and equal protection under the law must be guaranteed de jure and de facto.
Chet Said,
October 13, 2006 @ 5:51 am
A great article. Would you mind if I borrowed this article and post it on my blog.
ID Said,
October 17, 2006 @ 7:03 am
I have 3 cousins in Lebanon that are Jewish. Actually one of them is writing a book about the Jewish Lebanese. There are more Jewish Lebanese than anyone thinks. And no they are not all over 80. Some are in their 20’s -and 30’s and love Lebanon just like all the rest of the Lebanese
Rami Sahyoun Said,
October 18, 2006 @ 4:53 pm
I would like to point out that I once browsed the phone directory looking for jewish names. The majority if not all of these Phone numbers registered under jewish names are old and not operational. They go back to before the 90’s. Ah well, they forgot to update the phone directory again.
G. Said,
October 19, 2006 @ 6:00 pm
Thanks for a most interesting site here.I’m think most of the previous Jewish community of Lebanon now reside in Israel.
However,I seem to remember Yediot Aharonot had an article a few weeks ago on the handful of mostly elderly Jews still remaining in Beirut (too old and set in their ways to leave) and mentioned one resident saying that Walid Jumblatt helped a lot in safe-guarding them from people who wanted to assault them
Yael Said,
October 19, 2006 @ 10:44 pm
Hi there,
First I want to congratulate you and thank you (very strongly) for this site and for your dedication to this project!
I wanted to note that we do, actually, have a quite sizeable Lebanese-Jewish population here in Israel. Not sure if they came here as their first stop or if they tended to move first somewhere else and then here or not, but we do have a quite a sizeable community now. My closest friend’s husband’s family is originally from Lebanon and so I’ve met more than a few and I have a close colleague who was born in Beirut and lived there until she was 6 or 7. That said, I know that many Lebanese Jews settled in NY and are affiliated/intermingled with the Iraqi and Syrian Jewish populations that were, basically, expelled from those countries. I’m sure that is so in other places as well, such as in France, Argentina, and Brazil. Those that live here also tend to socialize and live close to those who came from Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Egypt although this is changing with the current new generation and there is more intermingling and inter-marrying with the non-sephardic communities.
Revvv Said,
October 20, 2006 @ 4:38 pm
I’m think most of the previous Jewish community of Lebanon now reside in Israel.
No, they do not. Many live in Montreal, Toronto, L.A, Paris, Brazil, and other cities/countries, in particular locations where there are large Lebanese diasporas.
I have a comprehensive list of Lebanese Jewish names & surnames, though not all are currently in Lebanon. I don’t think it would be wise to publish them without their consent, however.
I must add, there is also a Jewish cemetary in Lebanon.
G. Said,
October 20, 2006 @ 6:00 pm
Thanks for the welcome Administration and I wish you success here.
Maybe this site will be a bridge for friendship between Lebanese - (Christian,Muslim,Druze …. the anti-Syrian,anti -Hezbollah March 12 Alliance ) and Israel .
I noticed PM Ehud Olmert offered his hand of friendship to Fouad Siniora ,so maybe just ordinary Israelis and Lebanese can find a way of talking
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Revvv,greetings to you.I’m sure that you will agree that there are Israelis of Lebanese descent (Jewish and Maronite) living in Israel today.Maybe someone can look up the stats.I seem to remember that the owner of the Maxim restaurant in Haifa which Palestinian Islamic Jihad blew up was owned jointly by Lebanese Maronite(George Matar) and an Israeli family
http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-%20Obstacle%20to%20Peace/Memorial/2003/George%20Matar
Best wishes to all.
Revvv Said,
October 21, 2006 @ 7:55 am
Revvv,greetings to you.I’m sure that you will agree that there are Israelis of Lebanese descent (Jewish and Maronite) living in Israel today.
Actually I did not say that there are none, but that there are very few. The person who wrote the comment insisted that “most” lived in Israel. As far as I am aware, there are less than 5 Lebanese-Jewish families that are currently residing in Israel.
By the way, one of the Lebanese prisoners who is currently being held by Israel, and whose release HezbAllah demands is a Lebanese Jew.
G. Said,
October 22, 2006 @ 8:54 am
Revvv Said:”As far as I am aware, there are less than 5 Lebanese-Jewish families that are currently residing in Israel. ”
Total nonsense.Where did you get that pearl of wisdom from,lol
By the way,one of the Lebanese prisoners who is currently being held by Israel, and whose release HezbAllah demands name is Samir Qantar, a Lebanese Druze.Qantar was among a four-member guerrilla squad from the Palestine Liberation Front that burst into a flat in Israel’s northern city of Nahariya .. Samir Kuntar shot the father, Danny, at close range in front of his daughter in the back and drowned him in the sea to ensure he was dead. Next, he smashed the four year old girl’s head, Einat, on beach rocks and crushed her skull with the butt of his rifle.
As to the Jews of Lebanon ,the majority left in 1967.Fighting in the 1975-76 Muslim-Christian civil war swirled around the Jewish Quarter in Beirut, damaging many Jewish homes, businesses and synagogues. Most of the remaining 1,800 Lebanese Jews emigrated in 1976, fearing the growing Syrian presence in Lebanon would curtail their freedom.
As to Magen Avraham synagogue, built during the 1920’s and a communitywide source of pride,according to YNet :” Arabs rioters had vandalized the unique building in 1982, and the synagogue stood desolate next to the empty Talmud Torah (religious elementary school). Then, after two decades of war, Hariri, a former real estate investor, wanted to rehabilitate the Lebanese capital. “The Talmud Torah was blocking the view of the sea for some of the structures that Hariri had built,” Moshe recalled. “Over the years, we made every effort to rejuvenate the place, without success.” In 2002, Hariri made a deal with Beirut’s last Jews. He would grant them 1,500 square meters in an alternate location of their choice, repair the synagogue’s roof, and renovate the facade. In exchange, the Jewish community would agree to destroy the old Talmud Torah building. However, the Talmud Torah was never rebuilt; the aging community was simply unable to fund the project. While bulldozers destroyed the original structure, which was replaced by a park with a view of the beach, even the synagogue was never restored.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3292543,00.html
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Administration …not all of the non-Jewish Lebanese in Israel are “political refugees”,some are Maronites from Lebanon who came to Israel before 2000. There are about 8,000 Maronites
in Israel and in total approx 136 000 Christians living in Israel within the green line,in Haifa,Nazareth,Jaffa,Jerusalem and other villages.The Israeli Druze volunteer to serve in IDF and Israeli Border Police (Mishmar HaGvul) is commandered by Major General Hussain Fares.The IDF Herev Regiment which is comprised of many Druze voluneers did very well fighting Hezb terrorists in Southern Lebanon who were firing rockets at Israeli civilians ,coming back with no casualities.Hopefully UN 1701 will be some change with the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL now in charge in S.Lebanon
to our Lebanese friends…..I’m sure Israelis would welcome you visiting beautiful Israel.Some Lebanese come to Israel thro’ Cyprus btw
Let’s start a Lebanese-Israeli dialogue.
Happy Eid to those celebrating
Revvv Said,
October 23, 2006 @ 3:25 pm
Total nonsense.Where did you get that pearl of wisdom from,lol
I would prefer to keep my sources “secret”, but I am sure for someone who has a comprehensive list of Lebanese-Jewish names, the biggest collection of photos, and so on, my sources are more credible than yours.
one of the Lebanese prisoners who is currently being held by Israel
I am sure you are not a fan of HezbAllah, but no need to take this opportunity to bash them, when this is irrelevant, and the reason I brought it up is that one of the prisoners, not Samir Quntar, is a Lebanese Jew; his name is Nissim Nasr.
As to the Jews of Lebanon ,the majority left in 1967.
This is also untrue. Up to 1975, there was a growing and prospering Jewish community in Lebanon.
Fighting in the 1975-76 Muslim-Christian civil war swirled around the Jewish Quarter in Beirut, damaging many Jewish homes, businesses and synagogues.
Another false information. The destruction of Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogue was as a result of Israeli aerial bombardment, which was severe in the areas where the Jewish community of Beirut was especially centered.
Arabs rioters had vandalized the unique building in 1982
This is also untrue; the synagogue actually sheltered Shi’ite refugees back in 1982 and throughout those years, as far as 1985-1986, and it was not vandalized.
the synagogue stood desolate next to the empty Talmud Torah (religious elementary school)…. “The Talmud Torah was blocking the view of the sea for some of the structures that Hariri had built,” … While bulldozers destroyed the original structure, which was replaced by a park with a view of the beach, even the synagogue was never restored.
Actually my friend, there is something wrong with this; next to the synagogue there is a parking lot today, not a park, and synagogue is pretty far away from the sea, and there are also other buildings blocking its view of the sea, so it makes sense that the Talmud Torah would be destroyed for that reason, since there were other buildings in front of it that blocked the view of the sea. This is higly inaccurate. Add to that the fact that there are a few old/historical buildings next to the synagogue, and they stand to this day. Check out the pic on my blog. There is, however, a space facing the synagogue across the street, but it is not a park, it is simply an unused lot.
Revvv Said,
October 23, 2006 @ 3:27 pm
Correction:
I meant to say: “so it makes NO sense that the Talmud Torah would be destroyed for that reason”
Khalil Said,
October 26, 2006 @ 2:28 pm
It seems that the Lebanese are almost always stuck between a rock and a hard place. The alliances are always shifting in this quest for survival. The enemy is within and without. Are there any Lebanese jews who live in Boston? might move to France next year and I heard there is a sizeable population there. Khalil
G. Said,
October 27, 2006 @ 7:17 pm
Revvv Said: I would prefer to keep my sources “secret”
lol
lynne Said,
October 30, 2006 @ 12:40 am
I connected to your blog through Yael K. and I must say that I am glad that I found you. I look forward to reading your posts and the interesting comments section. First of all, thank you most sincerely for taking on this project. While those of us who comment may disagree on many matters, I think that we all agree that this is an interesting and very worthwile project. With kindest regards, lynne from Texas
david smiaka Said,
November 4, 2006 @ 7:57 pm
are there any lebanse jews that living in florida?
david .s Said,
December 6, 2006 @ 12:15 am
i am already go there one a whlie but thanks any way
Mikha'el Said,
February 5, 2007 @ 6:16 pm
Revvv said:”:”As far as I am aware, there are less than 5 Lebanese-Jewish families that are currently residing in Israel. ”
I can guarantee you that there are a lot more than 5 Lebanese Jewish families living in Israel! I have personally know more than 7 Jewish Israelis of Lebanese background. You might be correct that more Lebanese Jews emigrated to Brooklyn, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Sao Paolo ,Paris and Montreal than to Israel–but believe me, there are definitely more than 5.
Although I respect the wishes of this site’s adminstrator for not making a political blog, I cannot resist commenting on Nisim Nasr. He has a Lebanese Jewish mother and a Shiite father. He used the fact of his Jewish heritage to obtain Israeli citizenship and move to Israel. Later, he started spying on his adopted country for Hizballah. He was caught red-handed, tried, and convicted. Also, his motives for betraying Israel are hardly Lebanese patriotism either–he did it for the money, just as he left Lebanon, he did it because at the time he thought Israel would be better. He is a convicted criminal and not a political prisoner.
Amalya Said,
February 9, 2007 @ 3:27 pm
Marhaba, Salam, Shalom, Bonjour, Good morning…
I am very happy to find this website and it gives me hope for Lebanon.
I am very happy to read the comment about Jewish people live in the shadow. I truly thank whoever wrote it! It couldn’t have been said better.
It is extremely difficult to wonder why we can not be Jewish and Lebanese without fearing to be victims of non tolerant people who believe in the misconception that every Jewish person is a potential Israeli spy.
Whenever I go to Lebanon, I always dream of celebrating Shabbat with some Lebanese friends, I even wish I could tell them that I celebrate Shabbat and that it is beautiful and how I wish we could be there just like in the USA: Muslim, Christians and Jewish Lebanese gathered around a Shabbat diner table in Beirut, in Bhamdoun, ‘Deir el Amar’ or even in a village in the South.
I am hoping Lebanon will be a country for all his people regardless of their religion.
Amalya
Cedrax Said,
February 24, 2007 @ 8:45 pm
For me as a Lebanese Maronite who really believes that Lebanon is a message of coexistence, I think it is a disgrace for our Lebanese message not to have a consistent Jewish community, or having the jews constricted to live in the shadow.
The jews probably were in Lebanon before the christians, and surely way before the Arabs got here. They are entitled to be here as much as any other religious group.
I wish peace will take place soon so we could all live in harmony.
Shlom (in our Lebanese Aramaic)