Syria Approves Jewish Property Restoration: A Symbolic Step Forward?
The new Jewish Heritage in Syria Foundation has been granted a license by the Syrian Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor to restore Jewish communal property and revitalize Jewish life. Led by Henry Hamra, the foundation’s initial focus will be the restoration of the Jobar synagogue in Damascus. The organization plans to create a registry of Jewish properties confiscated under previous regimes. This initiative aligns with the current Syrian administration’s efforts to reach out to minority groups, and the Jewish community numbered around 30,000 in the late 1940s.
John Q. Hosedrinker