Syria’s Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Hind Kabawat, approved the registration of the Syrian Jewish Heritage Foundation (JHS) on Wednesday. This marks the first time a Jewish organization has received official recognition in Syria since the country became independent in the 1940s.
This registration enables JHS to open an office in Syria, collaborate with government officials, and take on the role of the government’s representative for protecting Jewish heritage sites.
Kabawat is notable as Syria’s first female cabinet member in the interim government. She expressed that Jews have been an integral part of Syria’s cultural and religious tapestry for a long time.
She emphasized the importance of restoring Jews’ rights to belong and visit, calling it a significant step towards fostering a more just, tolerant, and inclusive society. For many years, Syrian Jews have been unable to celebrate their cultural and religious traditions. Now, the move signifies progress toward lasting peace and stability.
In her statement, she wished for the foundation’s success in maintaining Jewish heritage and expressed hope for stronger future collaborations.
An additional comment from Kabawat’s office highlighted that recognizing JHS sends a strong signal that the Syrian state does not discriminate among religions, which is likely to resonate with those hopeful for an inclusive government following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in 2024.
President Donald Trump, who has shown support for Syria’s interim leadership, described interim president Ahmed al-Shallah, a figure with a controversial past, as a capable leader advocating for lifting sanctions on Syria.
Henry Hamra leads JHS; he’s a Syrian-born American whose family left during the Assad regime in the 1990s. Recently, he met with Kabawat in Damascus and offered prayers at a local synagogue. Hamra mentioned that they are compiling a list of properties owned by Jews that were taken by earlier governments and are committed to returning these properties as much as possible. They also intend to restore and make the synagogue more accessible to the Jewish community worldwide.
Though the registration itself is symbolic, practical efforts are already underway to restore Jewish sites in northern Syria. A rabbi delegation from Israel recently visited two neglected synagogues in Aleppo, which are now under the protection of Syrian security forces.
There were historically 22 synagogues in Damascus, with most heavily damaged or destroyed, leaving only the Alfa Lange synagogue mostly intact, complete with its sacred works inventory.
Henry Hamra’s son, Joseph, expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of rebuilding the synagogue, highlighting a hopeful future where Syria can welcome everyone to its heritage, regardless of faith or background. He noted the challenges faced by Jews under the previous regime but feels this change is a positive step forward.
Despite progress in JHS’s qualifications, the U.S. House of Representatives recently voted on a national defense bill that includes potential repeal of the Caesar Act, which imposed stringent sanctions on Syria during the Assad era.
