In a recent move to address the longstanding issues facing Syria, a delegation of American Jews, who left the Middle Eastern country decades ago, sought the aid of the Trump administration to lift sanctions that they argue hinder the preservation of ancient synagogues and the rejuvenation of the once-thriving Jewish community in Syria.
Henry Hamra, who escaped the oppressive regime of Hafez Assad in the 1990s, recalls how his family fled Damascus fearing persecution. Now residing in New York, Hamra has spent years pondering the fate of the historic synagogues and cemeteries left behind. Recent political changes in Syria, notably the fall of Assad’s son Bashar, have provided a glimmer of hope for those longing to return and restore their heritage.
The Hamras and a handful of individuals who share similar concerns have begun to engage with officials at both the State Department and the White House, although no formal response has been provided by the administration as of yet. They were joined by Mouaz Moustafa, the executive director of the Syrian Emergency Task Force, who has been an influential figure in shaping U.S. policy towards the Assad regime in the past. Moustafa is currently advocating for a re-evaluation of the extensive sanctions against Syria, promoting investment and reconstruction efforts.
The Jewish community in Syria is among the oldest in the world, with a history spanning nearly 3,000 years. In the early 1900s, it was one of the most substantial Jewish populations worldwide. However, political turmoil, particularly after the establishment of Israel and the stringent rule executed by the Assad family, prompted mass emigrations, reducing the community to a mere handful of elderly members today.
What began as peaceful protests against the Assad government escalated into a devastating civil war by 2011. The conflict resulted in a vast death toll and significant foreign involvement, with Russian and Iranian forces backing the regime, and extremist groups like ISIS gaining temporary control in various regions. Although ISIS was defeated by a U.S.-led coalition by 2019, the layers of sanctions placed on Syria contributed to widespread suffering.
The latest shift in power saw Bashar Assad overthrown in December by an alliance of rebel factions headed by Ahmad al-Sharaa. These new leaders have sought to protect Syria’s diverse minority groups and propose peaceful coexistence while urging the lifting of debilitating sanctions. Despite efforts to reassure, many remain skeptical, particularly within minority communities such as the Kurds and Alawites.
During a recent visit to Damascus, Yusuf Hamra was reunited with long-lost Christian neighbors and revisited significant sites of his past, including the synagogue at al-Franj. The site of Syria’s oldest synagogue in Jobar was found largely destroyed, a casualty of the prolonged conflict. Previous attempts to salvage religious artifacts from this site during the war ended tragically for some involved.
Hamra, along with international Jewish communities, desires the opportunity to contribute to the restoration efforts of synagogues, family homes, and schools in Damascus. Looking forward, Hamra envisions a future where Syria’s Jewish community can thrive once more, akin to Jews living in harmony in places like Morocco. “My main goal is not to see my Jewish quarter, and my school, and my synagogue, and everything fall apart,” he stated, advocating for a more inclusive and supportive reconstruction process.
