Beirut: Efforts Underway to Revive Lebanon’s Jewish Community
July 21st, 2008 at 8:36 am
It’s not easy being Jewish in Beirut where the synagogue is crumbling, the rabbis have left, the community is dwindling and where Jews are commonly branded “Israelis.” The last vestiges of the Jewish community in Lebanon, the Magen Abraham synagogue in the Lebanese capital, reflects a community falling into oblivion.
Built in 1920 in the area of Wadi Abu Jmil, formerly known as Wadi al Yahud (the Jews’ Valley), the synagogue is today a place of desolation.
The building is in a state of severe disrepair, the grounds overgrown and the gate shackled with lock and chain.
“Everything was looted during the (civil) war, marble benches and even windows,” bemoaned Samuel, a member of the Jewish Community Council in Lebanon, who preferred to use a pseudonym.
Without a synagogue, or even a rabbi, the handful of Jews still left in the country — about 300 according to official estimates — are forced to pray at home.
“What we (also) lack is a place to buy locally produced kosher. We have no Jewish schools to teach our children prayer and Hebrew,” said the 60-year-old Samuel, sitting in his shop near the seafront.
The seminary near the Beirut synagogue was destroyed during the war and the community has had no rabbi for years.
“We only speak Arabic. We just use Hebrew for prayer,” added Samuel.
In the capital, along the former demarcation line between the Muslim and Christian areas, another vestige survives: the Jewish cemetery.
The inscriptions in Hebrew and stars of David on the entryway are covered with dust. “Very few people come,” said Samuel.
Efforts are now being made, however, to revive the community, with plans under way to renovate the synagogue and the starting of an online blog called “Jews of Lebanon.”
“We hope that this synagogue, one of the largest in the Arab world, will be renovated later this year or in 2009,” said Samuel, adding that the renovations would be funded mainly by expatriate Lebanese Jews.
The blog seeks to raise the awareness of the Jewish community and to make it an active participant in public life.
Judaism is recognized as one of the 18 religious confessions in Lebanon, although the Jewish community has dwindled over the years, in the face of violence and prejudice.
“Before the (1975-1990) civil war, there were about 22,000 of us. It was after the 1982 (Israeli) invasion of Lebanon that our presence became considerably diminished,” said Samuel.
For Efraim, also a merchant and a member of the Jewish Council, the community’s official authority, one of the annoyances is living in a country where mixing the terms “Jewish” and “Israeli” is common.
Lebanon is technically in a state of war with Israel, which is commonly dubbed “the Zionist enemy.”
“People still occasionally ask me if I am Israeli,” said Efraim, also speaking under a pseudonym.
To him, “that’s exactly as if we used the term Iranians to describe Lebanese Shiites.”
“They do not understand that Israel means nothing to us. We consider it an enemy country as do all the Lebanese,” he insisted.
“After 1982, very few Jews went to Israel, and those who did, didn’t stay long. They felt deeply Lebanese,” said Efraim.
Having been in Lebanon for over 2,000 years, Jews began to leave the country during the turmoil.
“There has not been a wave of persecutions, despite some incidents. Those (Jews who left) are like thousands of other Lebanese who fled the country in search of a better future,” said Samuel.
“The Jews mostly lived in major cities like Beirut, Baalbek, Tripoli and Sidon, in perfect coexistence with other communities,” he said, adding that synagogues in these cities too had fallen into ruin.
“Many (Jewish expatriates) still have land and do not want to sell, because it would be like selling a part of themselves,” Samuel said.
The expatriates remain committed to their heritage and some even come back every year for vacation, but not to settle.
“Is it possible (to settle) with the current tensions in Lebanon?” asked Efraim, who travels frequently.
“We have always been neutral in politics and we remain so,” he said. “Today, we live peacefully and we want to continue to live like that, in our country.”
PROUD Lebanese Said,
July 21, 2008 @ 9:04 am
Amazing article! We want peace with our neighbors, ALL Lebanese truly do, but we must be at peace between ourselves first! JEWS are Lebanese, we love you, we love Lebanon, things are changing in Lebanon, Syria’s attitude is changing, the Israeli’s are swallowing the fact they can’t bully us around like they do to everyone else, they will treat us as equals soon enough, we will all live in peace in Lebanon and the region God Willing. Regardless of anything that happens with any non-Lebanese, you are Lebanese, we are all ONE family! Everyone conspires against Lebanon because they are jealous, they know what we are capable of, and one day we will show the entire world, LEBANON IS THE BEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD!
To our Jewish community: WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!
Andrea Said,
July 21, 2008 @ 11:00 am
For the first time, I’m not really happy about this site. However this site has got the democracy (in it), then, I accept all articles even if I’m not happy now. For my personal opinion (and not of mine) Hebrew language is a modern language (not only for Religion) like arabic and lebanese language is not a dialect of arabic. More, I know lebanese jews who live “chez moi”, in Italy. Their idea is different from Samuel’s. They love Lebanon (it is in their memories) but don’t say “enemy” to Israel Nation. Never said. I dislike Israeli wars and I’m not jew but I say also “not all Lebanese persons” love Lebanese jews (“H……..”), also this fact is true. The most of Lebanese jews, in Italy, has got a similar opinion, similar to my opinion. Israel, for me, is negative by his bombs but also Palestine by his terrorist. In Lebanon there are persons very violent, from Italy I, and others, understand in this way. For example, there are a lot of violent persons said “martyrs” but - for me - true Lebanese martyrs had been those like Ramzi Irani (but this is another). I respect moderate lebanese persons and I don’t want bombs on Lebanon by Israel. However also the word “enemy” said by jew to Israel isn’t a good thing for me and for most of jews from Italy (also Lebanese jews and not jews). I have maronite friends and israeli friends, jews and arabics, they aren’t “enemy” of Lebanon. I disliked the war dated 2006 (and others) but Peace must have done with enemys (enemies) and not with friends… I also say that Sheba Factory must be again to Lebanon Nation. I am afraid now but I hope that my opinion will be published ALL (like in other times). However, in most of times, I like this site and for me is important work. “Excuse me” you all, if I dream PEACE between Israel and Libnen but this is my education. I can write in this blog like you all, in democracy time every opinion is important. Even if I’m not like most of you, I want true Peace (and not only by words). Andrea.
maylynn Said,
July 21, 2008 @ 11:30 am
Though i’m an atheist and a big dreamer of laicity, i’m glad that there’s some awareness considering the jews. my questiion is: why didnt you start earlier with your requests? i mean couple of years ago noone would heard about the jews of lebanon. anyway better late than never.
I must add that this jew thing coming to light in lebanon is pleasing to me because i’ve studied judaism but i need to get in touch with the traditional part of it that I ignore. Plus learning Hebrew would please me too. wish you all the best in your future projects, hoping that some among you understand that religion is a private matter and God (if he exists) is one, and religions lead to conflicts.
thank you
AnonSecular Said,
July 21, 2008 @ 11:46 am
I reiterate my comment on Naharnet of this day:
“After reading the article, I logged on the site Jews of Lebanon. Unfortunately there is nowhere indicated as how to contribute financially to the restoration of the Magen Abraham synagogue which is a hugely symbolic and important project for all non-fanatical Lebanese. As a non-Jew, and speaking for number of us, I believe that any such restoration project should appeal to many secular and/or religious Lebanese, in particular in the Lebanese diaspora. In a sea of fanatism and extremism, this is certainely a worthwile project to carry out across communities.”
AnonSecular, London, United Kingdom
Omar Said,
July 21, 2008 @ 1:00 pm
שלום לכל אדון ויהודי לבני בכידה ו העולם.
(سلام لكل إنسان ويهودي لبناني في كندا والعالم.)
It is a blessing to see Lebanon having a new government in place and, finally, trying to heal its cultural wounds. Having written a letter to Canada a couple of months ago, this was precisely what I wanted to hear as a response: Restoring of Jewish communities of the Republic. Despite changes in lifestyle throughout the decades, I do wish to see the old school harmony restored within our community once more.
To be honest, some people may still have pride. Luckily, they are little in number and, from my experience in Lebanon, they are mostly naive youths and middle-aged snobs. This is the primary role of the Jews of Lebanon Project. Hopefully, it had already reached out to some of those people within Lebanon.
However, the Lebanese Jews must consider creating jobs for themselves. With current slow-down in job creations, many of us are still struggling to get professional jobs. Alternatively, they choose to be part of a family business or leave the country, for professional careers, as expatriates. This kind of situation is quite common to Lebanese Muslims, Christians and Druze in and outside the Republic, and it is also, somehow, influenced by domestic crises.
Furthermore, I would like to offer the Jewish expatriates only a handful of suggestions before integrating:
1. From my experience, with respect to future paperworks, it will be useful for the Jewish expatriates to get used to these official terms: مكتار (Mukta’ar; metropolitian ID card office), general security (official passport office), جيش (jay’sh - “army”) and وزارة (waza’ara - “ministry”).
2. To build and/or purchase houses, or apartments, they can also be granted house loans from our top banks. My bank, Byblos Bank sal, has the power.
3. Finally, in case of lack of Kosher meals, they must not be afraid to try alternatives, such as Hala’al foods. All they need to do is to avoid Hala’al seafoods - just to be safe by Jewish laws.
That is all for now. I hope the future will be a bright one.
Peace. سلام. Paix. שלום. խաղաղություն (xaghaghuthyun; Armenian).
Andrea Said,
July 21, 2008 @ 3:10 pm
“Plus learning Hebrew would please me too”: Maylynn, there are a lot of courses of hebrew language (If I understood well your written, excuse me but English is difficoult…). I study hebrew and lebanese (LLL System, Lebanese Latin Letters) by internet with pronounce (I’m italian). There are “English-Hebrew” and “English-Lebanese”. I respect arabic language (thanks to Israel, my favourite singer is Avi Peretz, he sings also in arabic, like Haim Moshe) but for me there are a lot of other semitc languages (hebrew, lebanese, assiryan, malti - of Malta etc). I understand you: God is One for me but the persons “love differents”…. Bye, Andrea.
Andrea Said,
July 22, 2008 @ 8:43 pm
All that I want to say now (and thing said 2 days ago) is I love existence of every nation in middle east even if I dislike a lot of persons (kinds of, in it). For my personal opinion many lebanese groups are violent persons, like hezbollah (and others) but Libnen is also other. Same thing for Israel and Palestine; I know, I know very well that most of israeli soldiers are “negative persons” with children, women and young men of Palestine (Palestina)… For me, a lot of israeli soldiers are similar to “nazist”, to “animals” (it’s true, I’m european and I know nazi-style) but, at the same way, I cannot accept terrorism from Palestine. I love other Israel and Palestine, like “Gush Shalom”. My friends, jews and arabics, were in Tel Aviv in summer 2006 for Solidarity to Libnen (slogan: stop bombs on Lebanon). More, notwithstanding violent lebanese persons, I know Lebanon is also coexistence (in most of cases) between “lebanese arabics” and “lebanese not arabics”. “I dislike middle-east but I love it…………” . Now baddi ném- שלום – Andrea.
Fadi Said,
July 23, 2008 @ 1:30 pm
Andrea.. Andrea.. Andrea..
Let’s not mix up things because we will only get things more complicated. In Lebanon, there’s a phobia against “Israel” and it is viewed as an enemy, because well, I haven’t forgotten the bombs they dropped near my house if nothing else; We can debate that as long as you want, but that’s how things are viewed, and I’ll try to be objective and say, let’s sort that issue out later. My understanding that this blog has a different purpose. Is there hope for peace: of course, but for the time being, let’s keep it at that point, the wounds have not healed.
The objective here is to reintegrate and re-embrace the Jewish compatriots into their homeland - Lebanon. The peace process in the middle east is something else. Just like Ephraim puts it, are all Shiite Lebanese Iranians? Hardly so. Are all Jewish Lebanese Israelis? Same answer! Are there non-Jewish Lebanese living in Israel now: Yes. Where do they belong: back in their country and villages and houses, in Lebanon.
Ah Yes, there is no “Lebanese” language, there is a Lebanese dialect, based on Arabic Language (mixed with syriac, turkish terms). Moreover, technically, Hebrew, Arabic, Aramaic/Syriac have common roots, common verb roots, etc. There are Lebanese who speak Armenian, Kurdish, Syriac, and Lebanese descendants who only speak Spanish, English, French, German, and what have you, why wouldn’t they speak Hebrew? That not an issue! But their hearts should beat to one tune: Lebanon.
admin Said,
July 23, 2008 @ 8:34 pm
Andrea and others,
We appreciate your enthusiasm and we welcome you to this forum but please keep in mind that political content that is outside the scope of our work can not be tolerated. Please, we are not looking to solve the Arab-Israeli conflict, as much as we hope we could, it’s simply not the objective of this blog.
No more discussions about politics, Israeli’s and Palestinians- we’re Lebanese, the context of this blog should remain as such.
Respectfully,
Website Administration
May Said,
July 25, 2008 @ 8:56 pm
i’ve been trying to research information about the few lebanese jewish families left here, for the pure sake of knowledge and curiosity. i find it absolutely ridiculous that the lebanese jews who actually had the sense of patriotism to remain in lebanon while the others fled should have to live in hiding. i would love to know more about the jews residing in beirut and hope they will have some valuale input to share here asking them to keep in mind that the participants on this blog are not the people fighting them, quite the contrary.
Dave Said,
July 27, 2008 @ 3:45 pm
Prayers to G-d to help the Jewish people to reject the evil Zionist ideology. The Zionists have destroyed the great life of Jews from Casa Blanca to Beirut and Baghdad. Anti-Zionist Jews must unify to help each other. The Torah is our life, not the accursed Zionist state. When will the Sefardi communities in Queens and Brooklyn come to the help of Jewish Lebanon to rebuild a good life and live according to the Torah?
Grendizer Said,
July 28, 2008 @ 11:49 am
The root problem is that the predominate Lebanese Christian, Muslims and Druze have not identified where the loyalty and nationalism rest of the so-called “Lebanese Jews” The basic assumptions is that they are Israeli spies. They cannot be neutral, the Jewish religion is heavily integrated with the land of Israel. Lebanese people want to know, if/when there is a war between Lebanon and Israel, do the “Lebanese Jews” join the Lebanese army and fight against the country’s ennemy Israel?
Same thing happened to the Armenian population divided between Turkey and Iran. The Turks did not trust the resident Armenians and saw them as a threat, and commited the famous Armenian genocide (which the US and Turkey comfortably deny)
So I say to the “Lebanese Jews”: Are you Lebanese first, or are you Jews first? Would you defend your home country against all invaders? or sit there quietly being neutral?
You are in the same position as the Christian/Muslim Palestinians Arabs that hold Israeli citizenships, but are discriminated against on a daily basis in Israel.
Yes, it sucks to be a minority. The long standing wisdom, if you can’t fight them, join them. many Lebanese left Lebanon toward the US/EU, and many left for the Arab muslim countries.
Why do you stay in Lebanon and complain, when you have a country (Israel) designed to be home for all J worldwide.
Lebanon has 10 million Lebanese living as expatriates in Latin America, US, Europe, various countries in Asia, but only 2-3M million living on the land.
Jon Said,
July 28, 2008 @ 12:52 pm
Mr. Dave,
Aside from neglecting the Admin’s post a couple comments above (please leave the Zionism out of the forum), you seem to put the responsibility of rebuilding the Jewish community of Lebanon on the communities of Queens & Brooklyn.
As a Maghreb Jew, who currently resides in Manhattan, I have many Lebanese expatriate Jewish friends, and can tell you knowingly that the native Lebanese Jews who have memories of the motherland are increasingly dwindling in size. Their offspring do not have knowledge of what it meant to be a Jew in Lebanon, nor do I believe will ever return or contribute to rebuild the glorious historically significant community that once was. That’s why a website like JewsofLebanon.org is of crucial importance.
The future generation of Lebanese Jews (specifically those residing in America) will move further away from their Lebanese identity, largely because of the political turmoil facing the country, and also because they have fully integrated into American life. They have also largely assimilated with their Syrian Jewish brethren in Brooklyn, and sadly enough many of them do know the difference between Halab and Beirut. The extent of their Lebanese heritage goes no further than the religious liturgical customs they use in Jewish prayer.
Notwithstanding, these Jews have left Lebanon and have asked nothing from the mother country. The financing for these activities should be split in part by the government (or the equivalent of historical preservation trusts) and in part by global fundraising regardless of their background/heritage.
I am not sure if I believe in “rebuilding” the Jewish community in Lebanon in the sociological perspective, but certainly we should spare no effort in reconstructing and preserving all the Jewish holy sites, tend to the elderly Jews that remain, and allow safe passage for all Jews who wish to visit these sites from abroad. The plurality and independent nature of the Lebanon is dependent on tolerance and respect to all its minorities, especially the Jews who have settled in present day Lebanon for over 3,000 years. The day Lebanon turns its back on the Jews out of discrimination will be the day Lebanon turns her back on all her people.
Omar Said,
July 29, 2008 @ 12:35 pm
Dave, you just spoke my language. I think the best way we can restore Sefardi communities in Lebanon is to get their willing international congregations/presentatives to the country. Rebuilding lost communities needs time, money and effort, and the Jewish expatriates of Lebanon need more man power to reach their goals. We should not be afraid to write letters to such, if they are available for such requests, and I think I will give it a try myself within this week.
Seriously, it’s high-time we acted to put Lebanon back to its pre-civil war glory.
Anon Said,
July 29, 2008 @ 8:29 pm
All I want to say is that indeed and in accordance to the international chart of human rights and to our morality as humans, we should welcome the jewish community in Lebanon, treat it equally, and endorse its adherence to our multiconfessionalism society.*in normal circumstances that is*
But we do realize after all that this is an issue of religion over nationality, and we cannot predict every jew’s political views and patriotic spirit
By the same token, any Lebanese Christian, Druze or Muslim could be more loyal to the nation of Israel than to Lebanon… That is what I would call a paradox, one that has been circling around since 1948..
The destruction of the Nation of Israel is strategically impossible (yes I do wish the Jews would stop using the Bible as a real estate certificate)
so -in my opinion- the only true solution would be building peace between Arab countries and Israel, and that is really possible given the recent political advancements.
Peace ppl
Anon Said,
July 29, 2008 @ 8:31 pm
The objective here is to reintegrate and re-embrace the Jewish compatriots into their homeland - Lebanon. The peace process in the middle east is something else. Just like Ephraim puts it, are all Shiite Lebanese Iranians? Hardly so. Are all Jewish Lebanese Israelis? Same answer! Are there non-Jewish Lebanese living in Israel now: Yes. Where do they belong: back in their country and villages and houses, in Lebanon.
is Lebanon in a state of war with Iran? No. I can’t follow your syllogism habibi
Fadi Said,
July 31, 2008 @ 4:53 pm
Dear Anon,
It wasn’t my syllogism, it was Ephraim’s, and I believe I understood the point he was trying to make, and “Lebanon in a state of war with Iran” was not on his mind, or mine for that matter. I can’t mean what I haven’t said, ma heik habibi? I am a bit confused at what you’re trying to say. Understandably we are living in an ubnormal and unstable time, if any of us had the answer, I’m sure life would be much easier. However, a group of us has the will, and would like to keep the door of hope open - until the answer is found.
I would like to see anyone in Lebanon claim to be faultless and dare to throw a stone and say he/she is blameless, and that 100% of his/her religious group is 100% Lebanese. There are always rotten apples, and sadly enough, we always look at those first and ignore the others. What do you do with a “Christian, Muslim, Druze” who disowns his own country and pledge allegiance to its enemy? Second question, how many mistakes is a Lebanese allowed to make to be stripped of his right to be Lebanese? Third, on the basis of questions above do you quantify a Lebanese Jew’s allegiance or love to Lebanon vs. other religious communities?
Now, that brings to mind a very important point though: Jews who live in Iran. Quite an interesting group to look at.
As for Grendizer, with the lack of young Jewish Lebanese men at the time being, it’s hard to answer, but I’ll give you a hint to research: who was the enemy who bombed the Jewish Synagogue in Beirut in 1982? And who were the people HIDING in it?
As for moving out minorities, perhaps we can run a quick mathematical check - there are very small minorities in Lebanon: like the Assyrians, Syriacs, protestants, Alawites, then comes druze, Armenians, Latin Catholics etccc…. .. We are all relative minorities, and the largest religious majority in Lebanon would count 35% at best. So, building on your own input, if you know that we can “start” with the Jews, would you like to tell me whom among the other minorities you’d like to pick for deportation because being a minority sucks? The Jews have Israel as you suggest, could you kindly find a good place for the Druze, Syriacs, Alawaites, Ismailis, and what have you? Ooops.. they don’t have a religious state of their own.. why not, let’s create more religious states somewhere, then test the Druze and Alawaites for the allegiance! I used these two groups as examples, apply the model to anyone else who lives in Lebanon. Shiites belong Iran, Sunnis to Saudi, Maronites to North Syria, Orthodox to Greece, etc. etc. etc.. It’s funny that one in Lebanon can change sect by signing two or three documents, it CAN get more complicated.
I would like to stand up and say: Let’s give the Jewish Lebanese a chance to prove their loyalty, if that was even a matter of question in the first place. How is that possible, let them come back home. There are 100 reasons that are stopping them, and 1 reason that should encourage them - that one reason should be US. The odds are not high, but hopes are -
And speaking of the Armenian genocide, after some 93 years of it “not happening” as the Turks claim - that’s just one example of how atrocities are made in the name of allegiance, and the innocent end up paying the price. Over one million Armenians were slaughtered because a wise-guy Turkish general decided they weren’t citizens enough??
Gosh!!
Phil Said,
August 8, 2008 @ 4:47 pm
Intresting discussion. I am Palestinain Moslem born to a Lebanese mother andwas raised in Beirut. I consider a flourishing Jewish community in Lebanon to be a positive contribution to diverse society. If the restoration of the synyggoge ever becames a relaity , please contact me for a contribution.
lailab Said,
August 12, 2008 @ 5:55 pm
Interesting article. I’m originally Moroccan but I recently moved to Lebanon as a student at the American University of Beirut. I was surprised to hear that a Jewish community existed in Lebanon. Actually Lebanon is an amazing country and I’m discovering new things day after day. As you may know, Morocco had a considerable Jewish community as well and the Jewish heritage plays an important role in enriching the Moroccan culture. Before transferring to AUB, I attended Al Akhawayn University here in Morocco. A friend of mine thought about creating a club to honor the Moroccan Jewish Heritage and we together helped in making the idea become a reality. We started a club called “Mimouna” (Mimouna is the name of a Jewish celebration in Morocco) our club was 100% cultural and had no political views. We also requested a professor to teach Hebrew to the members of the club. Unfortunatly, I left the University before getting the professor and I still have interest in learning Hebrew. I asked around in Beirut and the majority had a negative thought about it.
I would really appreciate if you could help me find a place in Beirut where I can learn Hebrew.
Omar Said,
September 11, 2008 @ 3:36 pm
Hi lailab. Unfortunately, I don’t think there’s anyone in Beirut, or Lebanon as a whole, who knows or can teach Hebrew. Even I have interest in learning the original language of Islam, that of the “Children of Israel” (as the Holy Qur’an called them), and a sister language of Arabic and Aramaic. The best way to start is to use Google to find such websites. You may also use Webnary.
If you’re interested, look at the following transliterations of the Hebrew words I learnt from the internet:
* YO’WM: Day
* LAY’LAH: Night
* SHAN’NAH: Year
* TO’WB: Good
* HAY’FOH: Where [is]
* HE’NEH: There [is]
* ABA: Father
* YELED: Boy (Girl - “Yeledah”)
* ADO’WN: Man/Mr./Human
* SHALO’WM: Peace
* MAZAL TO’WB: Congratulations
* LEHT’RAO’WT: See you soon
* B-BA’KE’SHAH: Please/you’re welcome
* SLEY’KHAH: Excuse me/sorry
* TOW’DAH: Thank you
NB: Since the history of Israel was East European-based, the alphabet “B” is often pronounced as “V”, and words like “Bayt” and “Abib” are respectively pronounced as “Bet” and “Avev”. Hope this helps, even if it isn’t much as you asked for.
Laylah to’wb.
Andrea Said,
September 13, 2008 @ 5:15 am
Merci Beaucoup Omar for first words to others, it’s a good idea “for my personal opinion”.
àlef (a,e,i,o,u like alìf), bet/vet (Beirùt / violet), gìmel (glass), dàlet (daddy), hè (sweet H, home), vàv (v,o,u), zàyn (sweet Z, zahra), Hèt (hard H, aH: “brother” in hebrew and arabic languages…), tèt (table), yòd (day), Kaf/Khaf (Kiifak / Khibiz), làmed (Lily), mem (mother), nun (not), sàmeH (hard S, Svura), Xayn / ‘ayn [like in arabic and in lebanese (arabic)], pe/fe (Patrick, Fawqa, FairuZ), Zvàdi (maZbut), kòf (Kiifak), resh (merci), shin/sin (shalòm, Son), tav (Bàyt).
Hello, good-bye or peace IS Shalòm
Good morning IS Bòker tov
Good evening IS èrev tov
see you soon IS L’hitrà’ot
What’s up? IS Ma nishmà?
Yes IS Ken
No IS Lò (similar to LA)
Thank you IS Todà
Merci beaucoup IS Todà Rabà
Please/You’re welcome IS Bevàkashà
What is your name? (male/female) IS EiH korìm lèHa/laH?
My name is Andrew… IS Shmì André
How are you? (male/female) IS Ma shlomHà/shlomèH?
Fine, OK IS B’sédèr
Sunday IS Yom rishòn
Monday IS Yom shenee
Tuesday IS Yom shlishì
Wednesday IS Yom revi’i
Thursday IS Yom Hamishì
Friday IS Yom shishì
Saturday IS SHABBàT
I IS Anì (simil to àna / anà)
I’m tired (male/female) IS Anì ayèf/ayèfa
….. Stop, Ani ayef : ) ….
ATTENTION PLAESE… IN Transliteration (GIBBèRISH in hebrew) HARD “H” IS “CH”. “CH” IS HARD “H” AND NOT “SH” OF Chukhràn (cukhràn of LLL System).
“Shabbàt Shalòm” to jews / hebrew and ShalomSalaam to my friends and also my Enemies (who doesn’t “love” me). Andrèa from Italy.
Andrea Said,
September 13, 2008 @ 5:10 pm
Better…
àlef (a,e,i,o,u like alìf): א ,
bèt/vèt (Beirùt / Vie): ב ,
gìmel (Glass): ג ,
dàlet (Daddy): ד ,
hè (sweet h, home): ה ,
vàv (v,o,u): ו ,
zàyn (sweet z, zahra): ז ,
Hèt (hard H, aH: “brother” in hebrew and arabic languages…): ח ,
tèt (Table): ט ,
yòd (Yamiin): י ,
Kaf/Khaf (Kiifak / Khibiz): כ ,
làmed (Lily): ל ,
mem (Mother): מ ,
nun (Not): נ ,
sàmeH (hard s, Svura / Sura): ס ,
Xayn / ‘ayn [like in arabic and in lebanese (arabic)]: ע ,
pe/fe (Patrick, Fawqa, FairuZ): פ ,
Zàdi (maZbut): צ ,
kòf (Kiifak): ק ,
resh (meRci): ר,
shin/sin (SHalòm, Son): ש ,
tav (BàyT): ת .
ך IS “ FINAL KAF - KHAF ”
ם IS “ FINAL MEM ”
ן IS “ FINAL NUN ”
ף IS “ FINAL PE - FE”
ץ IS “FINAL TSADI / ZADI ”
‘ ג IS J OF Jordan, Jack
‘ ז IS J OF Jean, Je suis
‘ צ IS CH OF CHampion, CHeese
Bye, Andrea.
Saïdou Said,
September 30, 2008 @ 9:07 am
As a lebanese agnostic laïc person, (me too, and many lebanese), we are very very happy of this decision.
I will be very happy to meet Lebanese Jewishes.
I live in paris and I never met (or maybe I couldnt know) any lebanese Jewish, neither in lebanon, nor elsewhere.
Lets do not mix our fights passed and today with the Israeli government, and our position regarding the Jewish religion which is one of our religions in the region.
Lebanese Jewish, as Jewish in general, are welcomed in Lebanon.
If there is any way to meet or get in touch with lebanese Jewish, i would be happy.
Saidou
Andrea Said,
October 2, 2008 @ 6:23 am
Marhvaba Saïdou, teach me good French and I will teach you Hebrew… J’aime la Francophonie et elle me peut servir pour l’emploi. שלום / אנדראה
Andrea Said,
October 2, 2008 @ 3:08 pm
مرحبا שלום חברים La proposition vaut également pour les autres… Si vous êtes français (idem pour francophonie), écrivez-moi couramment le français en 1 fois par semaine. Je peux enseigner les bases du Hébreu parce que je sais que la prononciation arabe et libanais, je écris en LLL (basic). Au revoir.