all over Syria though; I'm sure you'll see it eventually. M14=March 14. It's the name for the Sunni-led, pro-Western, anti-Syrian bloc within Lebanese politics. You can read more about them on Wiki . I'm still curious as to why you're so interested in them.... Akguindy: ;-)

Alawite is Shia. See here . "The Alawis or Alawites are a prominent minority religious group in Syria who describe themselves as a sect of Shia Islam." The Wikipedia article describes Bashar al-Assad's religion as "Alawi Shia Islam". There are many Shia in Syria, but about 74% of the population is Sunni. Many (Shia) Iranians go to Syria after Hajj or

Alawite is Shia.

calender is 11-12 days shorter than the Gergorian Calendar. Therefore, Eid al-Adha cannot possibly be as late as 19 or 20 November in 2010. It should be on/around 16 November. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eid_al-Adha http://www.isdonline.org/Events/2010_Islamic_Holidays.htm

Which holiday? New Year? Iran uses a different calender, their New Year is not on Dec 31st/Jan 1st. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_holi According to the calender for the Solar hijri year 1388 on wikipedia neither Dec 31st 2009 AD nor Jan 1st 2010 AD will be holidays in Iran. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_calendar

31st/Jan 1st. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_holidays_in_Iran According to the calender for the Solar hijri year 1388 on wikipedia neither Dec 31st 2009 AD nor Jan 1st 2010 AD will be holidays in Iran. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_cal

a hostel in either of them and visit Ma'alot as a day trip. The market in Ma'alot is pretty good but it is working only on Saturday. Last option is Ramla , with lots of historic remains and a great market. Check out the Indian restaurant nearby with authentic cuisine and spices, all made by Indian Jews.

Does this answer your question?

That's the only synagogue I noticed during a week in Beirut. There's a bit more information on it on Wiki . You can't see much of it at the moment. It's marooned in the middle of a new housing development (the surrounding buildings were mostly destroyed during the civil war), though it is currently undergoing restoration. The Jewish cemetery is near