Syrian-American Jews Return to Damascus to Revive Heritage Amid Concerns Over Desecrated Holy Site

By: Fern Sidman

In a powerful display of faith and resilience, a group of Syrian-American Jews returned this week to Damascus, gathering to pray at the historic Faranj Synagogue in the Old City — a sacred site that echoes centuries of Jewish life in Syria. As reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Tuesday, the visit marks the latest chapter in a series of cautious efforts by members of the exiled Syrian Jewish community to reconnect with their roots in a post-Assad era.

Led by Rabbi Henry Hamra, whose father, Yusuf Hamra, was reportedly the last rabbi to leave Syria in the 1990s, the delegation’s presence in the Syrian capital represents both a spiritual pilgrimage and a bold gesture of cultural restoration. The father and son had previously visited Damascus in February, but this week’s return — amid deepening sectarian tensions — carried added urgency and symbolism.

The group’s arrival comes in the immediate aftermath of a troubling incident that sent ripples through Jewish and interfaith communities worldwide. As AFP reported, unknown assailants desecrated the Damascus tomb of 17th-century rabbi and Kabbalist sage, Chaim Vital. Local community leader Bakhour Chamntoub confirmed that individuals had dug up the ground next to the revered rabbi’s grave, allegedly searching for antiquities.

Chamntoub noted that Syrian authorities had since inspected the site and pledged to identify those responsible. In response, the Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States issued a strongly worded statement condemning the act. “We are deeply shocked and saddened,” the group said, as quoted by AFP. “We urgently call on the Syrian government to immediately secure Jewish holy sites, synagogues, and cemeteries and ensure their safety.”

Victor Kamil, a Syrian Jew from New York and a member of the visiting group, emphasized the significance of their trip in light of the desecration. “We are trying to figure out if… the bones of the rabbi were touched or moved,” he told AFP, adding that while the incident is distressing, it does not diminish the spiritual importance of the site. On Monday, the group visited the rabbi’s tomb and prayed at the site despite the recent vandalism.

For Kamil, and many others in the delegation, the journey is about more than commemoration — it is a hopeful gesture toward rejuvenation. “We are very proud Syrian Jews,” he told AFP. “Our kids know we are very proud, and they will definitely love this heritage and this history.” He added that the purpose of the mission is to “prepare the synagogues, to prepare the community here for people at least to start visiting,” holding out hope that an improving security situation could one day facilitate larger returns.

Syria’s Jewish community dates back over two millennia, once forming an integral part of the nation’s religious tapestry. Under former President Hafez al-Assad, the community was allowed to practice its faith, but emigration was prohibited until 1992. When restrictions were finally lifted, the population of approximately 5,000 rapidly dwindled, with nearly all Jewish families relocating to Israel, the United States, or Latin America.

As the AFP report explained, today only a handful of Jews remain in Syria, guardians of synagogues that have withstood war, political upheaval, and the passage of time. This week’s visit was not just a personal journey for those involved—it was a reclamation of historical memory.

The visit also occurs against the backdrop of political transformation in Syria. With the fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December, the new Islamist-led authorities have made overtures to reassure religious minorities, including the Jewish community, that their places of worship and heritage will be protected.

However, as the AFP reported, recent events have tested those assurances. Sectarian massacres on the Alawite coast and violent clashes in a Damascus suburb last month have raised fears among minority communities. While the government pledges inclusivity, the fragile state of security in the capital complicates those promises.

Nevertheless, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, during a recent visit to New York, met with members of the Syrian Jewish diaspora to emphasize “the importance of strengthening bridges of communication and understanding,” according to state media outlet SANA, as cited by AFP. Whether this rhetoric translates into meaningful protection of Jewish sites remains to be seen.

Despite the desecration of a revered tomb and the ever-present specter of instability, the visiting delegation sees their mission as one of continuity and hope. Their prayers at the Faranj Synagogue — once a vibrant center of Jewish life — are a reminder that even after decades of absence and profound trauma, the spiritual heart of Syrian Jewry still beats.

In bearing witness to that legacy and inviting others to follow, these Syrian-American Jews are not just honoring their ancestors — they are planting seeds for the future. As the AFP reported, their presence in Damascus, though brief, sent a powerful message: that memory matters, and that faith endures even when the walls of its sanctuary have long stood empty.