InfoAnda - Lebanon Jewish community rebuilds ornate synagogue

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Pakistan court orders arrest of ex-president Musharraf | 13 February 2011
Peres defends Abbas after Israeli foreign minister's attack | | 26 October 2011
Ruler of UAE's Ras Al Khaimah emirate dies | | 27 October 2010

Kirin to sell shares in Chinese brewer | 15 February 2011

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Lebanon Jewish community rebuilds ornate synagogue

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Asia Pacific World Search Search: Lebanon Jewish community rebuilds ornate synagogue AFP - Monday, August 17 BEIRUT (AFP) - - Victim of decades of neglect and violence, the Magen Abraham synagogue in central Beirut is coming back to life as workers renovate the imposing structure for a vanishing community. ADVERTISEMENT "We're ecstatic," Isaac Arazi, president of the Lebanese Jewish Community Council which is funding the project through donations, told AFP. "We hope this initiative will ensure that the community grows once again," said Arazi, whose community is one of the 18 religious confessions that co-exist in the tiny Mediterranean country. Jews have been living in Lebanon for 2,000 years but their numbers have shrunk from 22,000 before the 1975-1990 civil war to around 300, according to unofficial estimates. The synagogue's last rabbi fled the country in 1997 as Lebanese Jews left the country in droves, particularly after the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon, where the words "Jews" and "Israelis" are often synonymous. Dozens of workers have erected scaffolding inside the Magen Abraham synagogue, one of the largest and most ornate in the Arab world which opened to worshippers in 1926, after clearing wide swathes of bushes and weeds. Arcades bearing the Star of David and Hebrew inscriptions once hidden by the wild vegetation are now emerging from the shadows. But political graffiti scrawled by militiamen on the arcades and at the entrance to the temple during the civil war still bear testimony to a time when it was caught in the crossfire of rival factions. The red-tiled roof also needs restoring as well as the abandoned office of the rabbi which lies close to the entrance of the synagogue. The temple is located in Wadi Abu Jmil -- once known as Wadi al-Yahud or the 'Valley of the Jews' in Arabic -- a neighbourhood that abuts the restored city centre of Beirut, where battles raged during the civil war. It also lies close to the prime minister's office and parliament and Lebanese authorities have given their blessings for the renovation project at the synagogue. The renovation of Magen Abraham has given hope to Jews who have chosen to stay in their native Lebanon despite the upheavals of the past decades. "If all goes well, we expect the renovation to be completed within 12 to 15 months," Arazi said. The Lebanese Jewish Community Council has called for donations to help cover renovation costs, which Arazi estimates will reach one million dollars. Some Lebanese Jews who live abroad are financing the project. "We want to restore the synagogue to the way it was before, with all its furniture, carpets and chandeliers," Arazi said. Looters had stripped the synagogue of everything during war: benches, windows, tiles and even the marble altar were stolen. "We really would like those who stole them to return them, because they date back 80 years," Arazi said. He also expects the council to renovate a Jewish cemetery in Beirut and two other synagogues -- one in the southern coastal city of Sidon and another in the southeastern mountain resort of Aley. The Aley synagogue is the country's oldest temple built in 1870. "In principle, we start work on the cemetery next week," he added. A Talmud-Torah school that stood behind Magen Abraham was razed to the ground at the end of the devastating civil war by real estate giant Solidere which oversaw the reconstruction of Beirut's city centre. Arazi said that none of Lebanon's religious communities and political parties, including the militant Shiite group Hezbollah, have expressed any reservations concerning the reconstruction project. "Nobody has protested and we have not received any threats." Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: Entertainment & Lifestyle US-ENTERTAINMENT SummaryReuters - 1 hour 31 minutes ago Time no barrier as Cropredy Fest rocks on and onReuters - 1 hour 15 minutes ago Sundance Channel launches video-on-demand serviceReuters - 2 hours 7 minutes ago 'Dancing With the Stars' cast includes Tom DeLayAP - 2 hours 37 minutes ago Chinese pop's biggest names at typhoon fundraiserAP - Tuesday, August 18 Enlarge Photo Partial view of the Magen Abraham synagogue, currently undergoing renovation work, in Beirut. Dozens of workers have erected scaffolding inside the synagogue, one of the largest and most ornate in the Arab world which opened to worshippers in 1926. Most Popular – Entertainment Viewed In death, as in life, Jackson surrounded by wackiness Millions of salmon fail to turn up in Canada Don't brush with baldness: put down that comb Obamas marvel at Grand Canyon Singer George Michael arrested after car crash View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Monday, 17 August 2009
Israeli soldier stole from military chief's office
Iran releases French teacher on bail: Elysee | International |
IBM uses DNA to make next-gen microchips
North Korea to reopen border with South: report | International |
Bombs kill at least 8 people in Iraq market
Too gung-ho? Israel military rabbis draw criticism
At least 6 killed by bombs at Baghdad restaurant | International |
Afghan govt says over 30 rebels killed
Qaeda stronger as blasts feed Iraqi Kurd-Arab feud
Single exit compounded deaths in Kuwait wedding fire
Iraqi worries grow as blast walls vanish
IBM uses DNA to make next-gen microchips | Technology |
Hurricane Camille's fury remembered 40 years later
US condemns return of Afghan warlord as vote looms
Gene variant predicts hepatitis treatment success
Iran dispatches China 70-52 for Asian crown
Hawaii's marks 50th anniversary of statehood
Official: 13 die in floods in northwest Pakistan
Hawaii plans quiet, sobering 50th anniversary
Afghans told they can vote _ as mortar shells fly
How were Social Security numbers given away?
Karzai's image down as Afghan election approaches
GOP senator: People have lost confidence in gov't
NKorea says Kim Jong Il met Hyundai Group chief
Hat-trick man Lin makes badminton history
Congressman says Obama able to keep tax pledge
Thai elephant takes 1st steps with artificial leg
North Korea in nuclear threat, Kim meets Hyundai boss
NYC schools prepare for 2nd outbreak of swine flu
1,000 still stuck in Taiwan as foreign aid arrives
Gov't recommends child care plan if swine flu hits
Sebelius: Public insurance option not essential
North Korea's Kim Jong-il meets Hyundai chairwoman
'District 9' lifts off with No. 1 weekend at $37M
Alien action film District 9 tops box office | Entertainment |
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Alien action film "District 9" tops box office
'District 9' lifts off with No. 1 weekend at $37M
'Don't worry be curry': Germany celebrates currywurst
Carnival mood for Mumbai's gay Pride march
Russian punk rockers rage against the Putin machine
Turkmen join Arabs to stop vote on Iraq oil province
Rescue effort for stranded climber in Pakistan called off
Last hours of campaign, Karzai seeks warlord edge | International |
Smoke-spewing Trabant poised for rebirth as electric car
Tropical storms race toward the Caribbean
North Korea reopens to South as economy weakens | International |
Robots at war: will humans stay in the loop?
Obamas marvel at Grand Canyon
More British deaths as PM says Afghan mission 'vital'
Indian PM says Pakistan groups planning new attacks | International |
Ahmadinejad plans female ministers in Iran cabinet
Taiwan searches for blame, causes after deadly typhoon | International |
Peres poems turned to song for his 86th birthday
Leader of banned Pakistan militant group shot dead | International |
Iran could release French researcher within hours: French FM
At least 11 dead in bombing in Russia's Ingushetia | International |
Taliban directly threaten Afghan polls
Thai red shirts rally, seek pardon for Thaksin | International |
Bombs kill at least 8 people in Iraq market
Suspected rebels attack U.N. compound in Somalia | International |
At least 6 killed by bombs at Baghdad restaurant
Pakistani troops hurt in suicide bombing
UK pilot 'killed' in Malaysia testing new plane
Taiwan must airlift many typhoon victims: govt
Man stabs himself outside Japan parliament: police
SKorean golfers celebrate Yang's historic PGA win
AP IMPACT: Banks added 10,000 branches in boom
UN probes Aboriginal discrimination allegations
North Korea, its economy weaker, reopens to South
Police: NY man beaten in racially charged robbery
Strong quake rattles southern Japan, Taiwan
Late deal averts crippling Bay Area rail strike
Pro wrestler Angle charged with HGH possession
China's nuclear envoy to visit North Korea: report
Earthquake rattles Taiwan, no reports of damage
Obama birthplace flap evokes Chester Arthur debate
Go West, Mr. President, to America's wilderness
Scars linger from killer Montana earthquake of '59
Obama softens on 'public option' in health care debate
China must adapt to EU rules on fishing: study
RPT-NZ services sector in first expansion in 16 months
20 years on, East Germans relive flight to freedom
Alien action film District 9 tops box office | Entertainment |
Jay Farrar, Ben Gibbard pay tribute to Kerouac | Entertainment |
Weinstein Co in dire need of a hit: NY Times | Entertainment |
Jay Farrar, Ben Gibbard pay tribute to Kerouac
Multi-pronged career keeps guitarist Haynes busy
Ex-Disney chief's series proves desperately unfunny | Entertainment |
Ex-Disney chief's series proves desperately unfunny
Rotterdam: cyclists' haven in Europe's largest port
Multi-pronged career keeps guitarist Haynes busy | Entertainment |
Alien thriller 'District 9' lands at box office top spot
With Obama in office, Fox News finds its stride
Iraq cabinet approves vote on U.S. security pact
Russia truck bomb attack 'kills 20'
US-TECH Summary
Eurozone trade surplus doubles in June
Pandas could be extinct in 2-3 generations: report
Palestinian leader stresses talks, not "resistance"
Struggling Sony Ericsson taps new head
Dozens missing after accident at Siberia power station
Karroubi 'should be lashed' over rape claims: Iran cleric
Reformist Iran newspaper shut down
Spanair crash result of human, technical error | International |
Mubarak says peace first, normalisation with Israel second
Russia says finds missing ship, crew alive | International |
Mass rally on last Afghan campaign day
Iran police clash with protesters over daily | International |
Israeli troops shoot Egyptian policeman at border
Human Rights Watch: Iraqi gays tortured and killed
US soldier killed in Afghanistan
Iraq cabinet approves vote on U.S. security pact | International |
US-TECH Summary
Struggling Sony Ericsson taps Nordberg as new head
IBM uses DNA to make next-gen microchips | Technology |
Telecom operators hurt selling iPhones | Technology |
Struggling Sony Ericsson taps Nordberg as new head | Technology |
U.S. videogame sales down 29 percent in July | Technology |
Republican Huckabee supports Israeli settlements
Bird's Nest, SARS enter Chinese dictionary
US senators talk terrorism, Gitmo issues in Yemen
N.Korea restarts S.Korea tours in conciliatory gesture
Dean: Public option a must for health care reform
NKorea agrees to resume tours, family reunions
Obama to update veterans on Iraq, Afghanistan
First hurricane of Atlantic season gains strength
Strong quake hits off Japan, tsunami advisory issued
Dell developing mobile devices for China Mobile | Technology |
Immigration trial for Egyptian student to begin
Supporters seek pardon for fugitive former Thai PM
Program cut to hurt NV, nation's driest state
Obama to address VFW on Monday
US relief team arrives in Taiwan to transport aid
Hundreds allowed to go home amid Calif. wildfires
Suu Kyi's US 'guest' receives medical treatment
Australian inquiry slams wildfire failures
US civilian killed in eastern Afghanistan
China sends envoy to Washington on tire case
Pakistani stocks end lower, rupee flat after rate cut
Taiwan dollar hit over 1-mth low on fund outflows
Pakistan's foreign investment falls to $195.6 mln
Q+A-What can be done to fire up Pakistan's power sector?
Moody's ups Pakistan outlook on IMF loan increase
Japan limps out of recession
China announces iron ore deal with Australia miner
Japan's economy rebounds in 2Q on export growth
Seoul shares fall on exporters;Hyundai Merchant up =2
Widow selling husband's tomb above Marilyn Monroe | Entertainment |
Kiss to release new album at Wal-Mart, Sam's Club
Sundance Channel launches video-on-demand service | Entertainment |
Waltz crafts linguistic magic for `Basterds'
Widow selling husband's tomb above Marilyn Monroe
Record mass dive in Indonesia: Guinness
Lebanon Jewish community rebuilds ornate synagogue
Time no barrier as Cropredy Fest rocks on and on | Entertainment |
US troops go back to basics with Iraq forces
Soap operas spark Arab tourist boom in Turkey
Cautionary tale for Philippines boxers
'G.I. Joe' continues overseas box-office domination
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01