Chief Rabbi of Israel's Syrian Jews asks de facto leader to 'protect' his Jews | CPT PPP Coverage

“I believe this historic moment is no coincidence and comes under divine providence. The Almighty has granted you leadership over Syria to advance it to a better place than before. Through your good deeds, you will earn great reward and honor in this world and the next.”

Hamra continued his letter by highlighting the Jewish community’s history in Syria. “For thousands of years, the Jewish community in Syria, despite being a small minority, was an integral part of the rich and diverse fabric of the Syrian people. Across Syria, there are historic sites, ancient synagogues and the graves of righteous figures, all of which are a cultural and religious heritage of immense value to Jewish worldwide.

“My late father, Rabbi Avraham Hamra, served as Syria’s chief rabbi for approximately 30 years, working alongside the government of the time to preserve these sites and ensure the well-being of the Jewish community in their places of residence — Damascus, Aleppo and Qamishli.”

“Protecting these sites is not only a religious duty but also a gesture of respect for the history and culture of the entire Syrian people. Additionally, I ask for the protection of the properties and homes of Syrian Jewish who were forced to leave everything behind.”

Hamra specifically mentioned the Jobar Synagogue in Syria as a sacred site for Jews. “An example of a site with immense historical and religious significance is the Jobar Synagogue near Damascus. This ancient cave, thousands of years old, was destroyed during the fighting.

“Its destruction caused immense sorrow to millions of Jewish and Muslims worldwide, who believe that great blessings flow from this place to all of Syria. Restoring the cave would be a great act of kindness, symbolizing the unity of peoples and their respect for shared heritage.”

“I am confident that under your leadership, Syria will become a multicultural, tolerant and inclusive country, where every religious group and ethnic minority can live in peace and security,” he concluded. “I hope we can collaborate to restore the Jewish community in Syria, visit our homeland and preserve our shared heritage.”