What it’s about
In a significant step towards fostering connections between Jewish communities and post-Assad Syria, an American Jewish delegation visited Damascus for the first time since the regime change. The trip aimed to reconnect with Jewish roots and assess the conditions of historical Jewish sites, receiving a positive reaction from local residents in Damascus.
Why it matters
This visit heralds a potential new era for peace and reconciliation in Syria, emphasizing the historical bond between Syrian Jews and their homeland. The Syrian government’s facilitation of the visit reflects aspirations for a more inclusive and unified Syrian society, welcoming diversity and, potentially, Jewish contributions to its reconstruction.
The big picture
The visit was not only about nostalgia and reconnection; it reflected a political and cultural gesture of the new Syrian administration. It serves as a hopeful sign towards restoring interfaith and intercultural fabric within Syria, which deteriorated under the Assad regime. Additionally, it presents a possibility for Syrian Jews retracing their roots and partaking in rebuilding their national heritage.
What’s next
The delegates perceive their mission as the beginning of rebuilding a legacy. Further engagement and visits could mean restoring historical synagogues, reviving cultural ties, and potentially influencing the new Syrian constitution to ensure pluralistic values. This visit opened dialogues and laid groundwork for greater understanding and restored interactions in the future.
What they’re saying
Henry Hamra expressed a personal connection, describing his childhood in Syria with fond memories and sharing aspirations for healing old wounds. Rabbi Asher Lopatin echoed these sentiments, hopeful that this visit symbolizes an openness to diversity, saying the warm and enthusiastic reception evidenced long-buried desires for peace amongst Damascenes.
Meanwhile…
The fleeting Jewish community evidenced deep enthusiasm for potential reunification and contribution to Syria’s rejuvenation. The new government reassured delegates of their safety, signaling officially a hopeful winds change – a Syria rising from conflict, welcoming of its historic communities, and aspiring towards coexistence.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.