NYT: Syrian Empire: SY's

The NYT has an interesting article that discusses both the wealth and culture of the Syrian Jewish community. Part of the article speaks of the clash between ashkenazim and the Syrian community.I was unaware that they were once described as Arabische Yidden — Arab Jews. It also talks about the edict in 1935 that disallowed the Syrians to marry converts. I was always surprised to learn that although wealthy, the Persian sefardic community does not really mingle with the Syrians.