The Last Rich Jew in Damascus
Yossef Laniado — Banker, Businessman, & Politician
Yaron Ran tells the story of Yossef Laniado, the last Jewish rich man in Damascus, who marked an era that will never return — a Jew who survived shifting regimes, from Ottoman to British, Arab, and French rule.
In the 19th century, wealthy Jewish families in Damascus lost their fortunes after the Ottoman collapse. Yossef mediated between Zionists and Syrian elites but lost his wealth in the 1930s, retaining some influence through political connections.