This special project by Ynet brings to light the rich and often overlooked story of Syria’s Jewish communities—once vibrant centers of Jewish life in cities such as Aleppo and Damascus. Drawing on rare archival photographs, firsthand testimonies and deep historical context, the series traces the community’s rise, its forced decline and the cultural legacy it left behind.
Through three in-depth features, the project explores the community’s ancient roots and contributions, the trauma of events like the 1840 Damascus Affair and the voices of descendants now living across the globe. Together, these pieces offer a multifaceted portrait of a world that no longer exists—but whose echoes still resonate in the collective memory of Jewish history.
A vanished past: The rise and decline of Syrian Jewry in images
Archival photos reveal the rich history of Syria’s Jewish community, which slowly dispersed across the globe; from tales of King David and Yoav ben Zeruiah to the journey of the Aleppo Codex, the community's story includes both great wealth and deep hardship; rabbis were also merchants, and secret missions brought Jewish children to Israel—including the mother of a future IDF chief of staff
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Two travelers who arrived in Syria in the 1930s meet a group of Jewish children
(Photo: Yosef Breslevi Collection, Yad Ben-Zvi Institute)
Tortured to death: Revisiting the Damascus blood libel
A false accusation in the 1840 Damascus Affair led to the brutal persecution of Jews and sparked the first global Jewish response, laying the foundation for modern communal solidarity and advocacy
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A Jewish prisoner of the Damascus Affair awaits trial – illustration by Jewish artist Moritz Daniel Oppenheim
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The Jews don’t miss Syria: 'I’m connected to my roots, not the land'
Once 40,000 strong, Syria’s Jewish community is now spread across Israel, the U.S., Mexico, Argentina and Panama; since their departure, Syria has seen dramatic shifts—most recently the fall of the Assad regime; we trace the community’s journey: How do they view the new leadership? Do tensions still linger between the Jews of Damascus and Aleppo?
