Syria Registers First Jewish Organization, Marking Historic Step for Community
DAMASCUS, Syria — In a landmark decision, Syria’s transitional government has officially registered the Jewish Heritage in Syria Foundation (JHS), marking the first time in the nation’s history that a Jewish organization has received formal recognition. The approval, granted by Hind Kabawat, Syria’s minister of social affairs and labor and the first woman appointed to the transitional cabinet, allows the foundation to operate openly in the country, protect Jewish heritage sites, and facilitate the return of Jewish properties.
For decades, Syria’s Jewish community, once numbering in the tens of thousands, has faced severe restrictions amid regional tensions and internal conflict. The community dwindled dramatically after 1948 as many emigrated, and the civil war that raged for 14 years led to the destruction of most synagogues. Today, only a small number of Jews remain in Syria.
With the official registration of JHS, the foundation gains the authority to establish offices, collaborate with government and local communities, and serve as the recognized entity responsible for safeguarding Jewish cultural and religious sites. This move also enables the organization to coordinate visits by Jewish delegations and oversee the return of previously confiscated Jewish properties.
“Judaism and Syrian Jews have long been part of Syria’s religious and cultural landscape,” Kabawat said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Restoring their right to belong, to visit and to live back in their homeland is a natural step toward a more just, tolerant and inclusive society. For decades, Syrian Jews were denied the right to celebrate their own cultural and religious heritage, and today we take a step toward long-term peace, security and stability.”
The registration comes amid broader efforts to rebuild Syria’s social fabric following the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad. The transitional government has emphasized reconciliation and inclusion as key pillars for the country’s future. The Jewish community’s renewed recognition is seen by many as a significant gesture toward religious and cultural pluralism.
Henry Hamra, a Syrian American Jew and president of the Jewish Heritage in Syria Foundation, spoke from the Jewish quarter in Damascus alongside his son Joseph. They expressed optimism about restoring the community’s presence and heritage. “We’re ready to start working on the synagogues and to start getting all the people to come see what we have here,” Hamra said.
Hamra’s remarks come as the foundation prepares to coordinate efforts to reclaim Jewish properties that were confiscated during decades of conflict and political upheaval. The initiative aligns with international calls for protecting cultural heritage and religious freedoms, as outlined by organizations such as the U.S. Department of State Office of International Religious Freedom.
The move has drawn attention from global observers, including former U.S. officials who have underscored the importance of supporting minority rights in the region. The transitional government’s actions echo principles promoted by the United Nations regarding cultural preservation and minority protections.
While the Jewish population in Syria remains small, the registration of JHS represents a hopeful sign of progress. It also opens the door for increased cultural exchange and dialogue between Syria and Jewish communities worldwide. The foundation’s ability to bring delegations regularly into Syria will foster connections that had been severed for decades.
This development follows similar initiatives in the Middle East aimed at preserving Jewish heritage, such as efforts supported by the National Park Service in the United States, which works to protect historic sites globally.
As Syria navigates a complex path toward stability, the recognition of the Jewish Heritage in Syria Foundation stands as a milestone in the country’s evolving narrative. It underscores a commitment to honoring the diverse threads that compose Syria’s rich cultural tapestry and offers a foundation for reconciliation and renewed coexistence.
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