When it comes to the origin of this temple, it was obvious that this worship area was built specially to serve the prayer needs of the Lebanese Jewish Community. Hence, it was an easy prayer spot for these Jews that lived in or near Bhamdoun, limiting them from the struggle of going all the way down to pray in Beirut temples or Alleys. What was most special about this temple other than its distant location was the last temple built in Lebanon in a summering center. Therefore, the Jews named this abandoned synagogue in Bhamdoun ‘The Last Temple’.
Nearby the summery center of this temple, another older temple named the ‘Temple of Aley’ (Ohel Jacob) existed. This older temple was built in 1895 by the benefactor Ezra Anzarouth. The major need and reason behind building this older temple was to fulfill the religious needs of the Jewish who lived in the mountains (located in the city of Aley) since the end of the 19th century.
In contrast, the abandoned synagogue in Bhamdoun was created on November 6, 1944. For its construction, the Jewish community bought land at the Bhamdoun Al Mhatta. The entire construction and land costs were paid by the Jewish personalities of the community at that time, i.e., Sasson, Metta, Safra. Therefore, according to these people, it was better not to name the temple with a specific title, making it the “Temple of Bhamdoun” after the construction.
While the rest of the Jewish communities used this temple for their religious prayers, the Achkenaze community designated a house in Bhamdoun to organize their religious services. Later, the arrival of more Jews in Bhamdoun became normal, making them fond of the city and easily settle in. Many Jews from Lebanon also summered at Aley. Moreover, the Jewish cafés and restaurants in Bhamdoun (which were run by other religious personalities) were also fondly accepted and visited by the Lebanese Jews.
This wide acceptance and visit to Bhamdoun made Bhamdoun a familiarly accepted and identified city of the Jews. Sooner in 1975-1976, some Jewish families also settled in Bhamdoun and occupied their religious prayers and activities in the city without any obligations. Although at that time, Bhamdoun was dominated by the Syrian National Socialist Party and Palestinian militias, these personalities served in protecting the Jewish community. Hence, the ‘Last Temple’, which is now known to be the abandoned synagogue in Bhamdoun, was completely protected by the authoritative personalities in Bhamdoun, without causing any damage to the temple.
Later on May 31, 1976, this temple was closed when the Syrian Army entered Lebanon and reached Bhamdoun. Since then, the Bhamdoun Synagogue became a closed temple, and firm evidence of the historical beliefs and personalities that once resided in Bhamdoun – making it turn into just an abandoned synagogue in Bhamdoun.
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