Syrian jew in U.S. bids for parliament seat

Henry Hamra, a 48-year-old Syrian-born Jew residing in the United States, has announced his candidacy for the Syrian Parliament, representing the Damascus district in elections scheduled for October 5.

Personal and Political Background

Hamra is the son of Rabbi Yosef Hamra, who left Syria in 1992 after restrictions on Jewish travel were lifted. In recent months, following the fall of the Assad regime, Henry and his father returned multiple times to Damascus, leading initiatives to revive Syrian Jewish heritage, including the restoration of historic synagogues and cemeteries. During Jewish holidays, Henry has conducted the symbolic blowing of the shofar in one of Damascus’ synagogues, marking a step toward reviving traditional Jewish practices in Syria.

Political Message

Henry Hamra’s candidacy follows a message from his father to the U.S. Congress, urging the repeal of the “Caesar Act,” which he argued harms the Syrian people more than the former regime. This political effort coincided with the Jewish Heritage in Syria (JHS) organization arranging the first trip for the Syrian Jewish community since Assad’s fall. The tour, supported by Syria’s new government, included visits to the damaged Jobar Synagogue and a historic Jewish cemetery.

The Syrian Foreign Minister described these initiatives as “symbolic steps toward national reconciliation,” while Rabbi Yosef Hamra emphasized the goal of “closing the chapter on the past with dignity and restoring the national memory that once united Syrians of all faiths.”