Nahmanides, or Rabbi Moses ben Nahman (1195-1270), left Spain in 1267 to live in Acre. He briefly visited Jerusalem where he reported on its desolation and lack of Jewish inhabitants-
“Many are its forsaken places, and great is the desecration. The more sacred the place, the greater the devastation it has suffered. Jerusalem is the most desolate place of all.”
“There are two brothers dyers by trade……There are ten men who meet on the Sabbaths they hold services at their home.”
“Even in its destruction, it is an exceedingly good land.”
Nahmanides established the Ramban Synagogue in Jerusalem and was a leader of the Jewish community in Acre until his death three years later at the age of 76.