The Jews of Beirut: The Rise of a Levantine Community, 1860s-1930s (Studies in Judaism)

The "Jews of Beirut" is a fascinating look at an utterly lost world.  I knew absolutely nothing about 99% of the contents of this book.  Particularly interesting for those interested in further study and research are the notes and footnotes, which themselves are alone almost worth the price of the book.  I hope that the author will write a second volume, covering the period after World War 2, perhaps titled "The Last Jews of Lebanon." Kol HaKavod.

Among the Jewish communities of the modern Middle East that of Beirut was unique in several important ways. A diverse community, it had well-organized institutions and was able to prosper even while others were facing decline. Based on exhaustive research in primary sources, this book presents the most comprehensive account of the modern history of the Jews of Beirut. Against the backdrop of Lebanon's socio-political history, it discusses the structure of the Jewish community, its culture and institutions, its relations with the authorities and the local society, and its ability to navigate between Lebanon and the nearby Jewish Yishuv in Palestine. It is an important contribution to both Lebanese and Jewish history and, indeed, to the history of the greater Middle East.-A.L.