Rabbi Yusuf Hamra and his son Henry returned to Damascus after over thirty years, meeting former neighbors and expressing hope for the future of Syrian Jews. Their visit, organized by the Syrian Emergency Task Force, highlighted the community’s enduring connection to Syria despite significant infrastructural challenges. While welcomed, questions arose regarding the political implications of their return in relation to normalization with Israel.
Rabbi Yusuf Hamra and his son Henry visited Damascus for the first time since their emigration to the United States over thirty years ago. They were joyfully greeted by former neighbors who reminisced about their shared past. Their return was facilitated by the Syrian Emergency Task Force, a U.S.-based organization, following the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime. Despite the long separation, memories of their life in Syria remained vivid, as illustrated by Henry’s reflection, “I left from Syria, but Syria never left us.”
During their visit, the Hamras prayed at the al-Franj synagogue, where Yusuf had served as a rabbi, located in the historic Jewish quarter of Damascus. They also visited the Jobar synagogue, which sustained significant damage during Syria’s civil war. Yusuf noted the immense destruction, expressing concern about the long wait for its restoration by saying, “May God help us, this won’t be rebuilt for decades.”
The Jewish community in Syria has dramatically declined, particularly after the establishment of Israel in 1948 led to increased migration. After years of authoritarian rule under the Assad family, restrictions on Jews were gradually lifted, prompting a mass exodus. By the early 1990s, after travel restrictions were removed, nearly all of the remaining Jewish population, including the Hamras, relocated, primarily to New York.
Mouaz Moustafa, the executive director of the Syrian Emergency Task Force, expressed hope that the Hamra family’s visit would inspire other Syrian Jews to return and support efforts for reconstruction in Syria. He also indicated that their visit could contribute to a change in perceptions toward minorities by the new authorities in the region. Yusuf conveyed a desire for the Syrian Jewish diaspora to participate actively in rebuilding their homeland.
The return was met with an enthusiastically welcomed reception in Damascus, but some observers questioned the political implications of the visit, particularly regarding normalization with Israel. Moustafa clarified the visit’s intentions were solely focused on Syria and not influenced by external countries. As heartfelt as the reunion was, the Hamras acknowledged the challenges of moving back permanently due to significant infrastructural damage in the city, with Henry stating, “You cannot stay with no electricity, you cannot stay with no water… it’s very, very, very hard to move back here.”
The visit of the Hamra family represents a poignant moment for Syrian Jews, who hope for a brighter future and a potential return to their homeland after years of exile. However, substantial challenges remain, particularly regarding infrastructure and political stability. While the visit has rekindled connections, the community’s future remains uncertain amidst ongoing reconstruction efforts in Syria.
Original Source: apnews.com
