For the first time in three decades, Rabbi Joseph Hamra and his son Henry read from a Torah scroll in a synagogue in the heart of Syria's capital Damascus, carefully passing their thumbs over the handwritten text as if still in awe they were back home.

Syria's tiny Jewish community said they held their first group prayer in decades Wednesday, in a synagogue in Damascus's Old City, expressing joy at the long-awaited return to public worship. At the end of the prayer,

As Rabbi Yusuf Hamra and his son Henry were visiting Damascus this week for the first time since emigrating from Syria to the United States more than three decades ago, they were met by former neighbors with embraces and and gossip .

While the new authorities have pledged to ensure inclusivity for all communities, concerns persist regarding religious tolerance.

Syria’s small Jewish community held its first group prayer in decades Wednesday at a Damascus synagogue, celebrating the long-awaited revival of

Syria's tiny Jewish community said they held their first group prayer in decades on Feb. 19, in a synagogue in Damascus's Old City, expressing joy at the long-awaited return to public worship.

For the first time in three decades, Rabbi Joseph Hamra and his son Henry returned to a synagogue in the heart of Syria's capital Damascus. Syrian's authorities have said all of Syria's communities will play a role in their country's future but some are wary. Sean Hogan has more.