The Rescuer: The Amazing True Story of How One Woman Helped Save the Jews of Syria

Written by well known Canadian historian Harold Troper this book tells the story of the Jews of Syria and the tenacious struggle of activist Judy Feld-Carr to rescue them. The determination of this amazing woman rallied help and hope. When I was much younger I marched for Syrian Jewry, wrote postcards and raised money to secure their release. I heard Judy speak but it wasn't until I read this book that I appreciated what this effort was all about. I was moved to tears many times and regretted that had I understood more I would have done more. It was possible for a Jew to make a living in Syria, but individuals could not leave the country on business without leaving other members of their family behind, effectively keeping them as hostage. Any communication out of the country was closely watched by the Mukhabarat (secret police) attempts to flee the country were severely punished. Judy found a way and this book tells part of the story that can be told. Rather than relying on promises of high level negotiation and meager diplomatic efforts she managed to make contact with rabbis in the Syrian Jewish community and communicate information back and forth in a crude code. Many of those she rescued had to be ransomed by bribes paid to Syrian officials. Through the network she established she was able to bring people out of the country for medical treatment (though often too late to reverse the condition), secretly reunite families and rescue entire families. Even the Israeli Intelligence service was awed by what she was able to accomplish. This is an important book on several levels: 1. It is an historical record of the end of a Jewish community that goes back thousands of years. 2. It gives an important understanding of the relationship between Arab Muslims and Jews and the State of Israel. 3. It gives an insight to the importance of obligations of Jewish communities towards each other. 4. It gives some insight into the nature of a police state, of Syria in particular and how it operates today. Jews were not the only ones caught up in the state apparatus. For a recent example: [...]. 5. By understanding the relationship of Syria to it's Jews one can better understand the Middle East. Note that this book was published previously under the title: The Ransomed of God: The Secret Rescue of the Jews of Syria Any updates would be minor. I highly recommend this book for all of the above reasons.