Estanbul 2010 » Synagogue

Ashkenazi Synagogue

niyazi — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:21:56 +0000

This synagogue is among the other synagogues of Jewish people belonging to Ashkenazi ( Aşkenaz) community living in İstanbul and the only one that has still been in service.

Loacted at Yüksek Kaldırım Street at Galata, the synagogue was constructed by Ashkenazi ( Aşkenaz) people of Austrian origin. With its facade in European style and the decoration of its Ehal and Teva( prayer desk) in wooden pagoda style with Polish influence,the synagogue displays a different view when compared to traditional Sefarad and Romaniot synagogues

Italian Synagogue

niyazi — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:31:16 +0000

It is in Galata, at Poet Ziya Paşa Slope.

This synagogue, which is especially Italian and Austrian nationality holding Hebrews, who live in Ottoman Empire, begin to serve in 1886.

Ahrida Synagogue

niyazi — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:35:51 +0000

Located at Balat, the synagogue was built by those who had migrated to Macedonia from Ahri borough in 15th century.

Having a similar shape to a ship’s bow, Teva( prayer desk) of the synagogue to some resembles to Noah’s Ship while others compare it to Ottoman galleys that carried Sefarad immigrants to the Ottoman piers from Spain. Being in service over 500 years, the synagogue has been exposed to some fires and repaired . Moreover, embracing the most ancient appearance among the others included within frame of 500th annual celebratons programme, it was restored in Lale(Tulip) Period baroque style.

Etz Ahayim Synagogue (Ortaköy)

niyazi — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:37:18 +0000

Becoming an appropriate residential for the Jewsih people who settled there after the great bedesten( bazaar) fire in 1618, Ortaköy where Jewish people already had lived from the ancient times, formed a model of harmony with three celestial religion performed in the mosque, synagogue and church located at a triangular area.

Signifying the meaning of “Life Tree”, Ortaköy Etz Ahayim Synagogue dated back to 17th century,which is derived from the documents of maintanance. The building was totally destructed in the fire in 1941 and today only the Ehal (case in which the manuscript parchments of the copy of the Pentateuch were kept) at the side of the garden of the building facing the sea have remained.

Neve Shalom Synagogue

niyazi — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 13:17:15 +0000

Called the “Oasis of Peace” or the “Valley of Peace,” the Neve Shalom Synagogue is located on Büyük Hendek Street in the Galata Kuledibi district of Istanbul. Marsel Franko, a Jewish community leader, renovated the gym of the “First Coeducational Jewish School” to be used as a synagogue. It was opened during Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) on September 26, 1938. However, due to the lack of the necessary legal permission, the Istanbul Governorship subsequently decided to return it to its former state.

In 1949, all the necessary legal permissions were obtained, and the project’s development began. Among all the projects prepared for the synagogue’s construction of the, those of Elio Ventura and Bernard Motola, who had recently graduated from Istanbul Technical University, were accepted. After much struggle, the building was open for religious services on March 25, 1951.

The ceiling structure of the synagogue is a dome. The architectural calculations for the dome were made from Badin, a famous architecture, and its dome was crafted by Garbis Usta, a famous papier-maché master. The stained glass windows of the synagogue were drawn at the State Fine Arts Academy in Istanbul, and the special glasses used in the sanctuary were imported from England. The marble floor covering is made of onyx.

Neve Shalom has suffered three terrorist attacks: September 6, 1986; March 1, 1992, and November 15, 2003.

Yanbol Synagogue

niyazi — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 22:49:13 +0000

Located at Balat and built and named by the people migrating from Yanbolu borough in Macedonia, the synagogue is the second ancient Jewsih structure of the region. The paintings on the ceiling of the synagogue are though to be depicting Yanbolu Borough.

Zulfaris Synagogue

niyazi — Mon, 11 May 2009 12:16:56 +0000

Located at Galata quarter and have been present from the 17th century, the current building of the synagogue belongs to 19th century.

The synagogue, in which religious ceremonies were carried out before the construction of Neve Şalam Synagogue, have been not in service recently. However within the frame of the 1992 celebrations organization, the synagogue is determined to be converted into “500 Years Tranquil Life Musuem” without any effect on the religious appearance of the structure.

Haydarpaşa Hemdat Israel Synagogue

niyazi — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Located at a close distance to Haydarpaşa Train Station,and derived its name from its story of foundation, the synagogue was put into service in Sept.3, 1989. That is the name “Hemdat Israel” which means “the mercy of the sons of Israel” was inspired from the arabic words “Hamid” and “Hemdat” written on the synagogue as the sign of gratitude for Abdülhamit II. who had surpassed the chaos let by those who were against the construction of the synagogue.