The Syrian government has licensed a Jewish heritage foundation led by Henry Hamra, transferring control of Jewish religious properties from the state to the organization.
This initiative aims to restore private properties appropriated when most of the Syrian Jewish community departed.
Background
Decades after a significant exodus of Syrian Jews, many were unable to sell their homes. The government assumed control of synagogues and schools, while other Syrians occupied some private residences.
Henry Hamra, who left Damascus at age 15 in the early 1990s, is now working to assess the condition of properties and facilitate their return to Jewish owners. This effort was significantly aided by Syrian-American activist Mouaz Moustafa.
Recent Developments
During an earlier visit, Syrian government officials pledged support for property restoration.
The current Syrian President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has publicly committed to protecting minorities in Syria.
In December, the U.S. lifted trade sanctions against Syria, an action influenced by advocacy from the Syrian Jewish community, including Hamra and the Syrian Emergency Task Force. This advocacy has generated some controversy among Syrian-American Jews who express skepticism about the current government's reliability in protecting minorities.
Jewish Heritage in Syria
Aleppo was historically home to a large Jewish community, dating back over 2,000 years. Prior to 1948, an estimated 30,000 Jews lived in Syria.
Most left permanently after President Hafez al-Assad lifted travel restrictions for Jewish citizens in 1992 under U.S. pressure.
The Central Synagogue in Aleppo, a 1,500-year-old structure, once housed the Aleppo Codex, a 1,000-year-old Hebrew manuscript. The codex was later smuggled to Israel.
Currently, only six elderly Syrian Jews are known to reside in the country. Hamra's father, Yusuf Hamra, was the last rabbi to leave Syria, leading to the cessation of organized Jewish religious life there.
Future Outlook
Local residents have expressed support for the return of Jewish citizens, viewing them as integral to the city's past. Henry Hamra, along with his son Joseph, has visited the properties, including a small synagogue and the Central Synagogue, noting the extensive damage in areas like Aleppo from the 14-year civil war that concluded in December 2024.
While a large-scale return of Syrian Jews is not immediately envisioned due to ongoing challenges like infrastructure and security, the initiative aims to enable visits and a reconnection to their ancestral roots.
Joseph Hamra expressed optimism about younger generations potentially considering a future role in rebuilding.