The Untold Story of Syrian Jews: Commemoration of Jewish Exodus from Arab Lands

In June 2014, the Government of Israel adopted a law which designates November 30th as an annual, national day of commemoration for the 850,000 Jewish refugees who were displaced from Arab countries and Iran in the 20th century. This year, the Consulate General of Israel to New England will be hosting a virtual program commemorating the expulsion of Jews from Syria which occurred in the wake of the establishment of the State of Israel. Our program will feature leading expert Dr. Mijal Bitton, whose research focuses on the Jews of Syria, as well as an interview with Dr. Mayer Ballas, a Syrian Jew who played a key role in the rescue of this community.

Program: 

* Introductory Remarks: Ambassador Meron Reuben, Consul General of Israel to New England.

* Hanukkah candle lighting with representatives of the Sephardic congregations of Beth Abraham in Brookline and Beit Sasson in Newton.

* Keynote Speaker: Dr. Mijal Bitton, Shalom Hartman Institute of North America.

* Special Guest: Dr. Mayer Ballas, Council for the Rescue of Syrian Jews.

Register for event HERE

This event is co-sponsored by AJC New England, Lappin Foundation, American Sephardi Federation, JIMENA, Beth Abraham Sephardic Synagogue, Beit-Sasson-The Sephardic Congregation of Newton, Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts, Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts, Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien, Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut, Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine.