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Ep. 345: Influential Origins with Abraham Hamra

In this gripping episode of Influential Origins, host Alan Mindel speaks with Abraham Hamra, an immigration attorney whose remarkable life story begins in one of the oldest Jewish communities on earth: Syria’s ancient Jewish quarter of Damascus.

Abraham takes listeners on an unforgettable journey through the hidden history of Syrian Jews — from centuries under dhimmi rule to the overnight transformation following Israel’s creation in 1948. He recounts chilling family stories rarely discussed publicly: midnight raids, discriminatory laws, forced immobility, violent persecution, families torn apart by sealed borders, and the devastating murder of the “Four Sisters,” a tragedy that still haunts the community.

With clarity and courage, Abraham describes life under the Assad regime, the dangers posed by neighboring Palestinian refugee camps, and the daily indignities and threats Jews faced simply for existing. He shares personal memories as well — a childhood attack that left a permanent scar, watching relatives vanish overnight as half the community escaped, and his own eventual flight from Syria at age eight.

Now an accomplished immigration lawyer in the United States, Abraham reflects on how persecution shaped his identity, his pursuit of justice, and his passion for helping others rebuild their lives. His story is a living reminder of why Jewish refugees needed Israel, why history must be told truthfully, and why resilience can change the course of a life.

This is an eye-opening, emotional, and essential conversation — the first chapter of an extraordinary story that continues in the next episode.

A must-listen for anyone interested in Middle Eastern history, Jewish identity, human rights, and the journeys that shape powerful voices.

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