Rabbi Avraham Hamra, last chief rabbi of Syria, dies at 78
By David Ian Klein May 7, 2021
Rabbi Avraham Hamra, a major leader in the Syrian Jewish community and the last chief rabbi of the country, died Friday in Israel at the age of 78.
Hamra had spent most of his life in Syria where he was a one of the few remaining spiritual leaders for the remaining Jewish population following the mass exodus of Syrian Jewry in 1947.
Rabbi Hamra oversaw kashrut, marriage and education of the Jewish community in the Middle Eatsern country, and protected his community by forming a friendly relationship with the Syrian government.
He served as chief rabbi in Damascus until 1994, when then Syrian President Hafez al-Assad allowed the last Syrian Jews to leave.
Hamra, along with more than a thousand other Syrian Jews, ultimately relocated to Israel. Hamra had also worked with Mossad to smuggle Jewish artifacts – such as ancient Torah scrolls and manuscripts – out of the country, according to Haaretz.
In his later years, he was also involved in supporting other Jewish communities in the Arab and Muslim world.
“Rabbi Hamra was the last chief rabbi of Syria, and as such intimately knew the needs of Jews in Muslim countries,” Istanbul-based Rabbi Mendy Chitrik, Director of the Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States told the Forward. “Although his health was deteriorating due to his illness, he was always there to answer questions and give advice.”
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
