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Opinion

As a Syrian Jew, the country’s tragic story resonates

War, displacement, destruction and despair compel reflection on living through exile

January 2, 2025 07:36
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An anti-government fighter tears down a portrait of Syria's former President Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo on November 30 (Getty Images)
3 min read

The recent history of Syria is a tragedy that resonates with anyone who has a connection to the land, its people and its history. For me, as a Syrian Jew, it strikes a particularly poignant chord. Syria is part of the ancestral memory of my people. It is a land that once hosted vibrant Jewish communities, where ancient synagogues echoed with prayer and study, where markets bustled with life, and where centuries of Jewish history intertwined with the cultural tapestry of Arab and Levantine society.

Yet today, war, displacement, destruction, and despair compel reflection on deeper truths about what it means to live through exile, to carry the memory of a homeland, and to find strength in resilience and adaptability.

For 20 centuries, the Jewish people have been migrants. Following the destruction of the Second Temple, we became wanderers, forced to find refuge in foreign lands. From Babylonia to Spain, Morocco to Poland, Yemen to Germany, and beyond, Jewish communities settled, flourished, and integrated. Each migration was marked by resilience, a willingness to adapt, and a commitment to preserving Jewish identity.

The Jews of Syria were no exception. They lived in harmony with their neighbours for centuries, contributing to the country’s trade, culture, and intellectual life. Yet, like so many Jewish communities throughout history, they were eventually uprooted – some by choice, others by force – in search of safety and security.

Topics:

Syria