Syrian Jews hold first group prayer in decades at Damascus synagogue

For the first time in decades, Syria's small Jewish community gathered for a group prayer at the Faranj synagogue in Damascus, marking a significant revival of public worship. Rabbi Yusuf Hamra, who recently returned from the U.S. after more than 30 years, led the prayer, expressing joy at his return to the synagogue he last visited before his emigration in the 1990s. The community, which has dwindled to just seven elderly members in Damascus, was once vibrant but faced significant decline after the civil war and restrictive policies under the Assad regime. Hamra's return follows the overthrow of Bashar Assad's rule, creating a renewed sense of hope for the community's future. The historic synagogue had remained closed since the civil war erupted in 2011, and Hamra noted that many synagogues were looted and damaged during that conflict. The Syrian authorities have made assurances to protect minority communities as they seek to rebuild the country.