Bet Israel Synagogue (İzmir)
Synagogue in İzmir, Turkey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Bet Israel Synagogue, also known as the Beit Israel Synagogue,[1] is a Jewish congregation and synagogue located at 265 Mithatpaşa Street, in the Turgut Reis neighbourhood, in the Karataş quarter of the city of İzmir, in the İzmir Province of Turkey.[2] The synagogue was completed in 1907 and is the largest synagogue in the city,[3] the other major synagogue being the Shaar Hashamaym Synagogue.[4]
| Bet Israel Synagogue | |
|---|---|
The façade of the synagogue, in 2020 | |
Location of the synagogue near the Aegean Sea, in Turkey | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Judaism |
| Rite | Nusach Sefard (Eastern) |
| Synagogue | |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 265 Mithatpaşa Street, Karataş, İzmir, İzmir Province |
| Country | Turkey |
| Coordinates | 38°24′34″N 27°06′59″E |
| Architecture | |
| Architect | Nissim Levi |
| Type | Synagogue architecture |
| Groundbreaking | 1905 |
| Completed | 1907; 1954 (renovations) |
| Specifications | |
| Dome | One |
| Materials | Brick |
| [1] | |
History
İzmir's Jewish community was granted state permission to build the synagogue in 1905; it opened two years later.[5]
After 1908, Rabbi Abraham Palacci served as the synagogue's hazzan.[6] The synagogue was renovated in 1954.[1]
On April 4, 2019, an attacker threw a Molotov cocktail at the synagogue. Falling on the sidewalk, the bomb did not destroy the synagogue. The attacker claimed that they were trying to protest the state of Israel. A prominent member of the ruling Justice and Development Party immediately condemned the attack. The official said, "There is no difference between attacks targeting synagogues, churches and mosques; they all target social peace with their hate." İzmir's Jewish community praised local law enforcement for their quick action.[7]
