Syria's Jewish Community: A Fight for Kosher Survival

The Jewish community in Syria has dwindled to fewer than a hundred individuals, a significant reduction from its historical population of tens of thousands.

In Damascus, the urgent need to maintain religious traditions, especially the provision of kosher food, is a pressing concern.

Bakhor Shamntoub, head of Syria's Mussawi community, highlighted the difficulties in adhering to kosher laws, which mandate that the butcher must be Jewish and the knife made of pure diamond.

Supply chains for kosher meat, previously reliant on imports from Turkey before December 2024, have broken down. Shamntoub and relatives in the US now facilitate these imports.

Plans are in motion to reintroduce local kosher meat production in Damascus, contingent on bringing a certified Jewish butcher to the country and utilizing refrigerated storage.

However, Shamntoub expressed skepticism about opening dedicated Jewish restaurants due to the small resident population, though some hotels are exploring Jewish cuisine options.

Restaurant owners are divided, with some opposing specialized kosher establishments on principle and others citing economic unviability and security concerns, especially after receiving hostile online reactions to a hotel's new Jewish section.

A potential revival of kosher food services hinges on a significant increase in tourism, which could enable the establishment of proper slaughterhouses and certified butchers.