After 33 years in exile, Syrian Jews visit Daramsuq (Damascus)

DARAMSUQ — For the first time in more than three decades, a delegation of Syrian Jews, led by Rabbi Yosef Hamra, returned to Daramsuq (Damascus) at the invitation of Syrian authorities. This historic visit represents a poignant moment for Syria’s once-thriving Jewish community, which was forced into exile in the early 1990s.

During the visit, Rabbi Hamra toured several significant Jewish heritage sites, including the famed Jobar Synagogue — one of the oldest and most revered Jewish temples in Syria — the Ibn Maimon School, and two other synagogues in the Old City of Daramsuq.

Journey of Memory and Reflection

Expressing deep emotion, Rabbi Hamra described the visit as a moment of nostalgia and contemplation. Speaking to reporters in the narrow alleys of Daramsuq’s Old City, he said, “I am the first Jewish person to return to Syria. I arrived with my son on Monday evening, and I met with the local people.”

His return follows 33 years of forced exile, dating back to the Ba’athist regime of Hafez al-Assad, which expelled the remaining Jewish community from Syria in the early 1990s. Rabbi Hamra expressed sadness over the state of the abandoned Jewish quarter, noting, “The place needed more care and attention.”

A Syrian official stated that the delegation was invited to “revisit their memories, reclaim their properties, and meet with the new government.” However, the visit also carried a diplomatic element. Rabbi Hamra revealed that the delegation would soon travel to the White House, following an invitation from the US State Department, to advocate for lifting sanctions on Syria, citing the dire living conditions faced by its people.

Echoes of a Lost Community

Syria’s Jewish community, once numbering in the thousands, was an integral part of the country’s rich social fabric for centuries. In 1992, however, more than 5,000 Jews were forcibly expelled under the regime of Hafez al-Assad, scattering across Europe, Israel, and the United States.

Under Bashar al-Assad’s government, restrictive policies persisted, preventing Jewish families from returning and confiscating abandoned properties. The recent visit marks the first indication of a potential policy shift, though its broader implications remain uncertain.

During their stay, the delegation visited historically significant sites, including the Al-Franj and Al-Raqi synagogues, the Ibn Maimon Jewish School, and the Jobar Synagogue, which suffered extensive damage during the Syrian civil war.

Reconciliation or Symbolism?

Rabbi Hamra’s visit to Daramsuq represents a significant milestone, but the larger question of a potential Jewish return to Syria remains unresolved. The loss of property, forced exile, and destruction of key religious sites have left lasting scars on the community.

Whether this visit signals a genuine effort at reconciliation or is merely a symbolic gesture in Syria’s complex political landscape is yet to be determined.