Maghen Abraham Synagogue
Encyclopedia
The Maghen Abraham Synagogue ( - "Kanīs Mā'ghīn Abrā'hām"; - "Beth HaKenesset Maghen Abraham"), is the oldest synagogue
in Beirut
, Lebanon
. Located in the former Jewish district of Wadi Abu Jamil
it was abandoned after Israeli shelling destroyed the synagogue during the Lebanese Civil War
. Restoration of the synagogue had begun in May 2009 and as of August 2010, renovations are nearing completion with artists putting finishing touches to the interior of the building.
and scientific lectures, weddings and other festive events.
In the 1950s and 1960s there were sixteen synagogues in Beirut and they were all full, according to a Lebanese expatriate who moved from Beirut to Paris in 2003. Jews were entitled to the same rights as other minorities and the number of Jews was increasing even after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, by which time there were about 14,000 Jews in Lebanon. Even during the PLO's control of the area in the 1975-6 conflict guards were placed on the synagogue for its protection. In 1976, a year after the civil war began, Joseph Farhi transferred the Torah scrolls
from the synagogue to Geneva
and entrusted to renowned Jewish-Lebanese banker Edmond Safra
, who preserved them in his bank's coffers. Most of them have since been relocated to Sephardic synagogues in Israel.
.jpg)
Although the greater part of the community had already emigrated after the 1958 Crisis
and the Lebanese Civil War
, there were approximately 100 Jewish families still living in the quarters of the synagogue prior to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon
. During the 1982 Lebanon war, Yasir Arafat's PLO forces and the Christian Phalangists were situated in Wadi Abu Jamil, leading to Israeli suspicion of there being Palestinian weapons in the quarter. On 12 August 1982, an Israeli bombardment damaged the synagogue. The synagogue was abandoned after Israeli shells hit the building, leaving rubble and debris strewn across the floor. Two marble tablets representing the Ten Commandments
and a marble Star of David were also shattered. Dozens of Jewish families were among those displaced by shelling of the area.
, a Lebanese construction firm privately owned by the family of Rafik Hariri
.
Maghen Abraham has a daughter synagogue in Canada, Congregation Maghen Abraham (Montreal)
.
Long ago, there was a decision by the late former Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri
, to restore the synagogue and surround it with a garden. However the restoration never took place. The neighboring Talmud
ic school was demolished so that other new buildings would keep the view of the beach nearby.
Regardless, by the spring of 2008, the Jewish expatriates expressed their desire to renovate the synagogue. They wished to proceed once stability within Lebanon improved. Long afterwards, the expatriates stated that the synagogue, along with the Jewish cemetery in Sodeco, would be renovated from October 2008. According to Bloomberg, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora
was quoted as saying:
Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah
, welcomed the renovation, saying "This is a religious place of worship and its restoration is welcome." Also, Hussain Rahal
, a spokesman for Hezbollah, said his group also supported the restoration of the synagogue: "We respect the Jewish religion just like we do Christianity. The Jews have always lived among us. We have an issue with Israel's occupation of land."
Fundings had already been received by the 65-year-old leader of the minute Jewish community, Isaac Arazi. Arazi estimated that the synagogue would require up to $1 million for renovation. He managed to raise up to $40,000 for the project, promising more to come. Solidere SAL
, civil-engineering company owned by the Hariri family, had also given $150,000 to each of 14 religious organizations that are restoring places of worship in Lebanon, about $2.1 million in all. "We help all the communities," said Solidere chairman Nasser Chammaa. Also, in Switzerland, a couple of banks, whose owners were of Lebanese-Jewish roots, had agreed to provide financing. One offered a sum of $100,000, but Arazi declined to mention its name.
The restoration was due to have started in November 2008, but the global financial crisis delayed those plans. However, renovation has started, as other construction projects around the area are being executed. As of October 2010, the Renovations were nearing completion.
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
in Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
, Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
. Located in the former Jewish district of Wadi Abu Jamil
Wadi Abu Jamil
Wadi Abu Jamil, located in Beirut's Centre Ville, is the Jewish quarter in Beirut, Lebanon.-History:Formally known as Wadi al-Yahoud ., the quarter was the center of the Lebanese Jewish community, with Beirut's largest and most important synagogue, the Maghen Abraham Synagogue, located there...
it was abandoned after Israeli shelling destroyed the synagogue during the Lebanese Civil War
Lebanese Civil War
The Lebanese Civil War was a multifaceted civil war in Lebanon. The war lasted from 1975 to 1990 and resulted in an estimated 150,000 to 230,000 civilian fatalities. Another one million people were wounded, and today approximately 350,000 people remain displaced. There was also a mass exodus of...
. Restoration of the synagogue had begun in May 2009 and as of August 2010, renovations are nearing completion with artists putting finishing touches to the interior of the building.
History
The synagogue brought about many benefits to the Jewish community in Lebanon during the early twentieth century. It was constructed in 1925 and named after the son of Abraham Sassoon, Moise Abraham Sassoon of Calcutta, on land donated by Isaac Mann. It was designed by the architect Bindo Manham and construction was overseen by Ezra Benjamin and Joseph Balaya." Because of insufficient funding, the head of the Jewish community, Josef Farhi, helped in completing the interior. The synagogue was also used for TorahTorah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
and scientific lectures, weddings and other festive events.
In the 1950s and 1960s there were sixteen synagogues in Beirut and they were all full, according to a Lebanese expatriate who moved from Beirut to Paris in 2003. Jews were entitled to the same rights as other minorities and the number of Jews was increasing even after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, by which time there were about 14,000 Jews in Lebanon. Even during the PLO's control of the area in the 1975-6 conflict guards were placed on the synagogue for its protection. In 1976, a year after the civil war began, Joseph Farhi transferred the Torah scrolls
Sefer Torah
A Sefer Torah of Torah” or “Torah scroll”) is a handwritten copy of the Torah or Pentateuch, the holiest book within Judaism. It must meet extremely strict standards of production. The Torah scroll is mainly used in the ritual of Torah reading during Jewish services...
from the synagogue to Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
and entrusted to renowned Jewish-Lebanese banker Edmond Safra
Edmond Safra
Edmond J. Safra was a Jewish Brazilian-naturalized, Lebanese banker who continued the family tradition of banking in Lebanon, Brazil and Switzerland. He married Lily Watkins. He died in a fire that attracted wide media interest and was judicially determined to be due to arson.-Life of Edmond...
, who preserved them in his bank's coffers. Most of them have since been relocated to Sephardic synagogues in Israel.
Lebanon crisis of 1958
The 1958 Lebanon crisis was a Lebanese political crisis caused by political and religious tensions in the country. It included a U.S. military intervention.-Background:...
and the Lebanese Civil War
Lebanese Civil War
The Lebanese Civil War was a multifaceted civil war in Lebanon. The war lasted from 1975 to 1990 and resulted in an estimated 150,000 to 230,000 civilian fatalities. Another one million people were wounded, and today approximately 350,000 people remain displaced. There was also a mass exodus of...
, there were approximately 100 Jewish families still living in the quarters of the synagogue prior to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon
1982 Lebanon War
The 1982 Lebanon War , , called Operation Peace for Galilee by Israel, and later known in Israel as the Lebanon War and First Lebanon War, began on 6 June 1982, when the Israel Defense Forces invaded southern Lebanon...
. During the 1982 Lebanon war, Yasir Arafat's PLO forces and the Christian Phalangists were situated in Wadi Abu Jamil, leading to Israeli suspicion of there being Palestinian weapons in the quarter. On 12 August 1982, an Israeli bombardment damaged the synagogue. The synagogue was abandoned after Israeli shells hit the building, leaving rubble and debris strewn across the floor. Two marble tablets representing the Ten Commandments
Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments, also known as the Decalogue , are a set of biblical principles relating to ethics and worship, which play a fundamental role in Judaism and most forms of Christianity. They include instructions to worship only God and to keep the Sabbath, and prohibitions against idolatry,...
and a marble Star of David were also shattered. Dozens of Jewish families were among those displaced by shelling of the area.
Renovation plans
In the process of rebuilding Beirut following the 2006 Lebanon War, renovations of the ruined synagogue began in 2009. The project's authorization were agreed by the Lebanese government, Hezbollah, and other community leaders, who wish to show Lebanon as an open country tolerant of many faiths. The renovation, funded by $200,000 worth of private donations, also received a $150,000 grant from SolidereSolidere
Solidere s.a.l. is a Lebanese joint-stock company in charge of planning and redeveloping Beirut Central District following the conclusion, in 1990, of the country’s devastating civil war...
, a Lebanese construction firm privately owned by the family of Rafik Hariri
Rafik Hariri
Rafic Baha El Deen Al-Hariri , was a business tycoon and the Prime Minister of Lebanon from 1992 to 1998 and again from 2000 until his resignation, 20 October 2004.He headed five cabinets during his tenure...
.
Maghen Abraham has a daughter synagogue in Canada, Congregation Maghen Abraham (Montreal)
Congregation Maghen Abraham (Montreal)
Congregation Maghen Abraham in Montreal is a Sephardi Jewish Lebanese community located in the district of St-Kévin in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is named in honor of the Maghen Abraham Synagogue in Beirut, Lebanon...
.
Long ago, there was a decision by the late former Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri
Rafik Hariri
Rafic Baha El Deen Al-Hariri , was a business tycoon and the Prime Minister of Lebanon from 1992 to 1998 and again from 2000 until his resignation, 20 October 2004.He headed five cabinets during his tenure...
, to restore the synagogue and surround it with a garden. However the restoration never took place. The neighboring Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
ic school was demolished so that other new buildings would keep the view of the beach nearby.
Regardless, by the spring of 2008, the Jewish expatriates expressed their desire to renovate the synagogue. They wished to proceed once stability within Lebanon improved. Long afterwards, the expatriates stated that the synagogue, along with the Jewish cemetery in Sodeco, would be renovated from October 2008. According to Bloomberg, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora
Fouad Siniora
Fuad Siniora is a Lebanese politician, a former Prime Minister of Lebanon, a position he held from 19 July 2005 to May 25, 2008 the date of the election of the new President of Lebanon; he was renominated to the post on 28 May 2008 and held the post as Acting President between those...
was quoted as saying:
Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah
Hassan Nasrallah
Hasan Nasrallah, became the third Secretary General of the Lebanese political and paramilitary organization Hezbollah after Israel assassinated the previous leader, Abbas al-Musawi, in 1992. Hezbollah in its entirety is considered a terrorist organization by The United States, the Netherlands,...
, welcomed the renovation, saying "This is a religious place of worship and its restoration is welcome." Also, Hussain Rahal
Hussain Rahal
Hussain Rahal is an Syrian football player who is currently playing for Al-Karamah.- External links :...
, a spokesman for Hezbollah, said his group also supported the restoration of the synagogue: "We respect the Jewish religion just like we do Christianity. The Jews have always lived among us. We have an issue with Israel's occupation of land."
Fundings had already been received by the 65-year-old leader of the minute Jewish community, Isaac Arazi. Arazi estimated that the synagogue would require up to $1 million for renovation. He managed to raise up to $40,000 for the project, promising more to come. Solidere SAL
Solidere
Solidere s.a.l. is a Lebanese joint-stock company in charge of planning and redeveloping Beirut Central District following the conclusion, in 1990, of the country’s devastating civil war...
, civil-engineering company owned by the Hariri family, had also given $150,000 to each of 14 religious organizations that are restoring places of worship in Lebanon, about $2.1 million in all. "We help all the communities," said Solidere chairman Nasser Chammaa. Also, in Switzerland, a couple of banks, whose owners were of Lebanese-Jewish roots, had agreed to provide financing. One offered a sum of $100,000, but Arazi declined to mention its name.
The restoration was due to have started in November 2008, but the global financial crisis delayed those plans. However, renovation has started, as other construction projects around the area are being executed. As of October 2010, the Renovations were nearing completion.
See also
- Zaki CohenZaki CohenZaki Cohen born in 1829 in Aleppo in the Ottoman Empire, was a Chief Rabbi of the Jewish community in Beirut, Lebanon. In 1875 he founded Beirut first Jewish school at the time, where he served as Director. The school named after him continued to operate until 1899, when the school was superseded...
, Beirut Chief Rabbi - Deir el Qamar SynagogueDeir el Qamar SynagogueThe Deir el Qamar Synagogue, located in Deir el Qamar, a village in south-central Lebanon, is the oldest synagogue in Mount Lebanon. The synagogue was built in the 17th century to serve the local Jewish population, some of whom were part of the immediate entourage of Fakhr-al-Din II. The building...
(Mount Lebanon) - Jewish Cemetery (Beirut)Jewish Cemetery (Beirut)The Jewish cemetery of Beirut, located close to Sodeco Square, is the only Jewish cemetery in Beirut, capital city of Lebanon. It is also accessible via the Damascus Expressway. Half of the gravestones are broken. It is currently still being used by Lebanese Jews....
- History of the Jews in LebanonHistory of the Jews in LebanonThe history of the Jews in Lebanon deals with the presence of Jews in Lebanon, which stretches back to Biblical times.-Jews in Lebanon today:Lebanese Jews are traditionally a Mizrahi community living mostly in and around Beirut...
- Wadi Abu JamilWadi Abu JamilWadi Abu Jamil, located in Beirut's Centre Ville, is the Jewish quarter in Beirut, Lebanon.-History:Formally known as Wadi al-Yahoud ., the quarter was the center of the Lebanese Jewish community, with Beirut's largest and most important synagogue, the Maghen Abraham Synagogue, located there...
- Congregation Maghen Abraham (Montreal)Congregation Maghen Abraham (Montreal)Congregation Maghen Abraham in Montreal is a Sephardi Jewish Lebanese community located in the district of St-Kévin in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is named in honor of the Maghen Abraham Synagogue in Beirut, Lebanon...
External links
- Lebanese Jewish Community Council in Beirut (formerly the Jews of Lebanon blog by Aaron-Micael Beydoun)
- Corporation of Lebanese Jews in Canada
- Photographs