holiest pilgrimage site for Jews. In the past, sick people were brought into the caveren below the synagogue and left there alone at night in the hope that Elisha's spirit would exercise a healing influence over them. According to an extract from the Syrian cadastre of the Djobar district, its east side is 17–3 m long, itst side 15.7m and the building 12.13m wide. Syrian civil war In March 2013, reports surfaced that the synagogue had been burned to the ground during the Syrian civil war, with both government and rebel forces trading blame over which party looted and destroyed the building. However, later during the year photographs were published and a video emerged showing that the synagogue was still standing but had suffered from mortar fire with damage to the ceiling and the bimah. By May 2014 the majority of the structure had been totally demolished with only the right wing remaining. Blame was directed at the Syrian army who mistakenly hit the synagogue while targeting a nearby rebel enclave although some claim rebels were hiding the synagogue complex. Subsequently there has been concern that items from the ruin would be looted and illegally sold. Private funds have been raised in an attempt to restore the synagogue. The restoration project is being undertaken with the approval of the Syrian and Russian governments. See also Cave of Elijah References Synagogues in Syria Jewish pilgrimage sites Buildings and structures in Damascus Ancient synagogues Synagogues in the Ottoman Empire Destroyed synagogues Elijah Jews and Judaism in Damascus Religious buildings and structures in Damascus