Damascus Synagogue Rediscovered: Nine Jews Remain in a City’s Ruins
The recent shift in power in Syria, with the decline of Assad’s regime, has unexpectedly opened access to a dilapidated synagogue in Damascus, a structure with a history stretching back 2,700 years. This discovery, however, is bittersweet, given the incredibly small size of the remaining Jewish community in Damascus: a mere nine individuals. The sheer number is striking; it paints a stark picture of the dwindling presence of a community that has existed in this ancient city for millennia.
The incredibly low number raises questions about the future of this community. The hope is that with increased accessibility and perhaps renewed international interest, some degree of support and revitalization might be possible, but the odds of rebuilding a thriving community from such a small base seem daunting.… Continue reading
Matt Underwood