Rabbi Binyamin Hamra, the chief rabbi of Israel’s Syrian Jewish community, has sent a letter to Ahmed al-Sharaa, the newly appointed leader of Syria, offering his congratulations on his victory over the ousted Bashar al-Assad regime. In his letter, Hamra emphasizes the importance of safeguarding Syria’s long-standing Jewish community.
Hamra’s father, Rabbi Avraham Hamra, held the position of chief rabbi in Syria from 1976 until 1994, marking an era of spiritual leadership for the community.
“In Syria, for thousands of years, the Jewish people, though a small minority, have been a significant part of the country’s diverse and rich social tapestry,” Hamra wrote to al-Sharaa. “Across Syria, there are historic landmarks, synagogues, and burial sites of Jewish leaders that hold immense cultural and religious significance for Jews worldwide.”
Reflecting on the enduring struggles and hardships faced by Syria’s Jewish community, Hamra appeals to al-Sharaa, urging him to “ensure the safety of the remaining Jewish population in Syria and enforce the careful preservation of these Jewish historical landmarks.”
He specifically mentions the Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue in the Jobar area of Damascus, which was destroyed during the devastating 12-year civil conflict.
“The synagogue’s destruction was a source of deep sorrow for millions of Jews and Muslims around the globe, all of whom believe that blessings flow from this sacred place throughout Syria,” Hamra writes. “Restoring the synagogue would be a gesture of immense goodwill and would serve as a symbol of unity between the peoples, reflecting mutual respect for shared heritage.”
Hamra concludes his message by expressing hope that under al-Sharaa’s leadership, Syria will evolve into a “multicultural, tolerant, and inclusive nation, where all religious and ethnic groups can live in harmony and security.”
“I am hopeful that we can work together to restore the Jewish community in Syria, allowing it to once again visit its ancestral homeland while preserving our common cultural heritage,” he added.
Although Syria was once home to one of the oldest and most significant Jewish communities, today, only nine Jews remain in the country.
In a recent development, a representative from al-Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) faction met with Bakhour Chamntoub, the leader of the dwindling Jewish community, and offered assurances of “peace and security” for the country’s Jewish population, also calling on those living abroad to return to Syria.
{Matzav.com Israel}