Personal Stories

Isaac Hasbani is a Chicago based Engineer. He was born in November 1947 to a Syrian Jewish family in Beirut. Both of Isaac’s parents came from Damascus and fled Anti-Semitic riots before he was born. His mother was on vacation in Lebanon when her father called and told her “Don’t come back,” he had decided to abandon his clinic and follow her to Lebanon which was considered much safer for Jews at the time.

Denise Amnon worked in the Chicago garment industry for many years. She is now retired. Born in Aleppo, Syria on November 16, 1926 Denise was the daughter of a banker, Hillel Nahmad and her mother was Matilde Safra. Her parents were married very young, they met when an aunt introduced them to each other.