Sindur Yahud

This is a Jewish village that was ethnically cleansed and replaced with Muslim Kurds.

Sandur is an extensive village, containing upwards of 100 Jewish Kurds. The place, on our arrival, had a desolate appearance, for all the males were in the synagogue, and the females were wiling away the tedious hours of this wearisome day, by sleeping under the trees near a soft murmuring stream. I first intended to make my abode near this inviting retreat, but the fear of disturbing the quiet repose of these numerous groups, induced me to pitch upon some more eligible spot, close to the Jewish synagogue. Stern (1848), p 113

I next arrived at Sandur, where the Kurdish chain of mountains begins; about 200 Kurdish and 50 Jewish families live here. Benjamin II (1859), p 70

From this [Tukok] to Sandur, our next halting place, was only two hours' distance; and as the road was winding between shady fig trees and luxuriant vines, we performed this short journey with ease and pleasure. Stern (1848), p 113

I went accompanied by Yehuda, their Kiahya, to the synagogue. The house of prayer, though spacious and capable of holding three-hundred persons, was thronged with Jews, whose dress, demeanour and physiognomy forcibly reminded me of those obstinate and rebellious tribes, of whom all the prophets complain, and over whom the compassionate Saviour wept. Stern (1848), p 114

The rabbies, at the conclusion of my address, remarked that they would believe all I said, if I acknowledged the divine authority of the Talmud. I replied, The word of God contains the complete revelation of the Divine will, and all that is necessary to guide us through this vale of tears, until through the gate of death we enter into the paradise of God; and as the Talmud is irrelevant, and contrary to the tenor and spirit of the Divine word, it ought to be rejected and decried by every sensible and conscientious Jew.

It was now nearly time for afternoon service, and as they were obliged to give water to their mules and donkeys, they all dispersed; and then some returned again to the synagogue, and others sat down on the grass and on my luggage, reading the New Testament and several tracts, which I had exposed for their perusal. Stern (1848), p 114

During the night, as the country is infested with predatory Kurds, the Kiahya gave me a guard of four Jews; they were armed with swords and pistols, like their Mahometan neighbours, and unintimidated by fear, they reclined on the hard soil near a blazing fire, singing Kurdish and Hebrew songs, till near dawn, when I and my servants relieved them from their duty. Stern (1848), p 114; in Sindur