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Lebanese shul restoration on hold

November 21, 2008

WASHINGTON (JTA)—The financial crisis has delayed the restoration of Beirut’s sole synagogue.

Restoration of Magen Abraham, situated in the city’s old Jewish quarter, was to have started this month.

Isaac Arazi, the leader of Lebanon’s Jewish community, told the Associated Press in a story published Friday that overseas Jewish donors said the financial crisis meant they were not able yet to transfer the necessary funds.

Arazi said he would launch another fund-raising appeal next year if the donors were not forthcoming. The building is in severe disrepair.

There are about 100 Jews left in Lebanon, from about 22,000 during the 1960s. Terrorists targeted Jews for kidnapping and murder during the 1975-1989 civil war; 11 were killed or are missing.

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