The Syrian Jewish Documentary

Close to 3,000 people gathered at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall recently for the premiere of an important documentary that meticulously chronicles Syrian Jewish life in the United States. The film, entitled The Syrian Jewish Community: Our Journey Through History, Episode 2, Coming to America, narrated by community member Joseph Mosseri, is the first in a multi-part film series. The next part is slated to premiere in 2011. This massive project is the creation of Joseph J. Sitt.

Prior to the screening, movie-goers were treated to a large selection of mazza, hors d’ oeuvres, crudités and an open bar. Everyone enjoyed the food as they perused some of the artifacts that will be on display in the Sephardic Heritage Museum. The beautiful museum pieces were artfully set up by Margie Sarway.

Before the film began, Jack Sitt introduced his father, Joseph, who explained the purposes and goals of the museum.

A palpable electricity and an inherent excitement filled the hall as the audience found their seats and settled in for this long awaited endeavor. This magnificently produced film went far beyond everyone’s expectations. The audience sat in rapt attention and remained transfixed as they watched the poignant stories of Syrian Jews, some middle aged, some in their 80s and 90s, who shared vivid recollections of their childhood experiences and those of their parents, grandparents, siblings, uncles and aunts. Replete with rare and some never before seen black and white photos and footage, this film graphically depicts what life was like for those arriving from such places as Aleppo and Damascus on the shores of America and settling on the Lower East Side of Manhattan during the early 1900s.

The film included segments on religious dedication, family life, education, work ethics, cultural elements such as food, clothing, music and dance and an unwavering devotion to community.

The hall was punctuated with laughter, soft weeping and singing at certain junctures as the audience responded to the humorous stories, musical interludes and melancholy moments revealed by those interviewed. An informal and cozy atmosphere prevailed as one almost felt as though they were sitting in a living room watching old 8mm home movies with thousands of relatives.

The film took us back in time to the teeming tenements of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, where Jews from Eastern Europe were the predominant Jewish community, having made the United States their new home in response to persecution in their native lands.

There were testimonies from Syrian Jews whose parents arrived penniless and without any knowledge of English. “The Ashkenazim didn’t know what to make of us,” said one interviewee. “They didn’t think we were Jewish because we didn’t speak Yiddish,” she said.

The film’s powerful narration made it abundantly clear that the priorities of these Jews from Syria were vigilance to the same six values that they lived by for centuries: religion, hard work, family, honesty, tzedaka, and the continuance of Sephardic culture.

“When we arrived we didn’t have a synagogue of our own and we prayed in the streets and in each other’s homes,” said a distinguished gent. “What was most important for our community, even more important than where we were going to live or what we were going to eat was to continue our attachment to G-d through building our own synagogue, mikvah and yeshivah and furthering our own traditions.” Another man told how his father wanted to live on the top floor of his overcrowded tenement building because he wanted to be close to Hashem.

Maintaining a rigorous work ethic was second nature to the Syrian Jews as each man spent long days and nights peddling their wares on the streets of the Lower East Side. “We sold anything we could to make a living and there was no such thing as unemployment in our world. We often worked 18 hours a day. When newcomers came from Syria, they were immediately given work,” said another interviewee. After years of pounding the pavement in the peddling trade, Syrian Jews used their acquired business acumen to create a niche for themselves in the linen and clothing trades and established connections with factories in China. Despite the financial hardships imposed upon them in their new country, the anecdotal stories told in this film revealed that the Syrian Jews dealt with their less than ideal situation with great equanimity, humor and love.

Shabbat was a special time for Syrian Jews in New York in the early years of the 20th century, when instead of eating only one course for dinner such as green beans, they would prepare three or four courses, despite the destitution that they encountered. “The singing, the food of our homeland, the prayers and just being with family and community were so very special to us on Shabbat. I believe that is what kept us going,” said one woman.

Because family is the cornerstone of the Syrian Jewish community, this film also devoted time to the history of arranged marriages in the new world and perpetuating centuries old traditions through the education of their children. “We made it our business that boys would receive the same kind of religious education that they had in Syria and when we were told by the government that we had to send both boys and girls to public school we continued to educate them in their religious studies at home,” said another man.

One of the resounding themes in this film was the great integrity of the Syrian people, who play by the rules and treat everyone they encounter with fairness and honesty. As the film drew to its conclusion, one could only sit there hungering for more history and more details of this timeless journey to a new land.

Rabbi Elie Abadie, Senior Rabbi of the Edmond J. Safra Synagogue in Manhattan said after the film, “I was more than delighted with this tremendous film and I congratulate Mr. Sitt and all those who participated in it. This film sets the record straight on the history of the Syrian Jewish community and will be an invaluable reference tool and source of great pride for generations to come. Our history must be preserved because it is so unique and so special. It shows the respect for values that we’ve held so dear for thousands of years, the values of family, community, hesed and helping each other with the same love that we show our blood relatives. We’ve really defined ourselves by our incomparable tzedaka organizations and that goes way beyond charity. It is not an option in our world, it is a must and we are taught to give of ourselves from the time we learn to speak. It is all about pursuing righteousness and justice and making our community and the world we live in an infinitely better place.”

“I found this film to be overwhelmingly amazing in every respect; a wonderful testament to our heritage and culture. It truly captured the essence of who we are as a people,” declared Rabbi Ezra Labaton of Deal, New Jersey. “We are the most successful immigrant group because of our cohesiveness, our unity and the way we sacrifice for each other.”

Ezra Ashkenazi was one of the people interviewed for the film and he had this to say: “I thought this film was absolutely perfect and even though I wished it would have been produced soon
er, it is better late than never. We live our entire lives for our children and our future generations after them and this film will be a hands on instructive guide to them on how their ancestors lived and how they should live. The Syrian Jews are a humble, hard working people who give of themselves no matter what. When we came to these shores, not one of us was left without support. Someone from Syria would come and we would meet them at the boat and show them where to live and where to work and they didn’t have to worry about homelessness or starvation. Above all, we showed gratitude and appreciation to G-d and to America for giving us the opportunity to succeed and share with others.”

Marlene Mamiye did a wonderful job editing the movie along with Rabbi Sultan, Betty Sitt and Bert H. Dweck. Randy at Formeost catered the incredible food for the evening and event coordinators Betty Sitt and Norma Cohen made the night a huge success. The Sitts would like to thank those who attended for being a part of their very special night.
______________
Fern Sidman is an investigative journalist and prolific writer whose articles have appeared in many Jewish publications.
Morris Antebi is an event photographer.