Maurice Nseiri

Maurice Nseiri (born 1945) is a famed Syrian Jewish craftsman skilled in the art of metalwork.[1][2]

Maurice studied the art under the tutelage of his father, Sion Nseiri, before taking over the workshop in the Umayyad bazaar. in 1965.[3] When the Israeli spy Eli Cohen was uncovered and arrested by Syrian security officials in January of that year, a receipt from the Nseiri shop was found in Cohen's possession. The Mukhabarat swept into the Nseiri workshop and arrested Maurice’s father, brother, and all employees.

In 1970, Nseiri closed his workshop and attempted to flee to Israel via Lebanon but was arrested at the border.

Following the Jewish exodus from Syria in the early 1990s,[4] Nseiri emigrated to Canada.[3]

His works can still be found across Damascus at synagogues and churches, the Sheraton Damascus Hotel as well as at the Syrian Presidential Palace where he created the front brass gates, lamps and other items.[2][3]

References

  1. ↑ "Artist Maurice Nseiri Receives International Arts Award" (PDF). Jewish Image. April 2015. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  2. 1 2 Starr, Stephen (November 2011). "A brilliant Jewish craftsman from Damascus". Forward Magazine. Haykal Media. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 Moubayed, Sami (August 13, 2015). "A Long, Hard Look at 'Zionism in Damascus'". The Huffington Post.
  4. ↑ Myers, Steven Lee (May 23, 1992). "Syrian Jews Find Haven In Brooklyn". The New York Times.
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