SYNAGOGUES OF ISTANBUL
NEVE SHALOM SYNAGOGUE
Neve Şalom Synagogue (Hebrew: בית הכנסת נווה שלום, lit. “Oasis of Peace’ or ‘Valley of Peace”) is a synagogue located in Karaköy, a district of Beyoğlu, Istanbul. Opened on Sunday, March 25, 1951 (Hebrew, 17 Adar 5711), the Chief Rabbi of Turkey of the period, Rav. It was made with the participation of Rafael David Saban. Neve Shalom Synagogue, the largest of the synagogues in Istanbul, was converted from the ceremonial hall of the First Mixed Jewish Primary School, which was destroyed in 1949, to be built. Its architects were young Turkish Jews Elyo Ventura and Bernar Motola.
Unlike other synagogues in Istanbul, the synagogue is very active, where Shabbat (Jewish rites), weddings, funerals, Bar Mitzvahs, Circumcision, and religious holidays are held.
Address: Bereketzade, Buyuk Hendek Cad. No:39, 34421 Beyoglu/Istanbul
ASHKENAZI SYNAGOGUE
Istanbul Ashkenazi Synagogue is an Orthodox Judaism Ashkenazi synagogue located near the Galata Tower. It was founded in 1900 by Ashkenazi Jews who settled in the Ottoman Empire from Austria-Hungary. It is the only surviving synagogue of the three synagogues established by Ashkenazim, who constitute 4% of the total Jewish population in modern Turkey.
The synagogue activates for weekday morning prayers and for worship on the Sabbath (Saturday). Jewish weddings, Bar Mitzvah, and other religious events are held in the Synagogue in the Ashkenazi Jewish manner. The founder of B’nai B’rith, a Jewish school, Dr. David Marcus was the synagogue’s spiritual leader until his death in 1938.
Address: Banker Sok. No:10 Karakoy/Istanbul
AHRIDA SYNAGOGUE
Ahrida Synagogue is a synagogue located on Kürkçü Çeşme Street, in the Balat district of Fatih district of Istanbul. The synagogue, built at the beginning of the 15th century and named after the city of Ohrid in North Macedonia, where its founders immigrated to Istanbul,[1] is still the largest synagogue in Istanbul today. Founded by the Romaniotes, this synagogue became a Sephardic synagogue over time, as the Romaniotes assimilated under the Sephardi.
It is built of brick and masonry stone. The tawa of the synagogue (prayer platform) resembles the bow of a ship. There is a midrash (school) in the courtyard of the building.
It is the only synagogue that Sabbatai Zevi, the prophet of the Sabbateans, visited in Istanbul to worship.
Prayers were arranged for the Turkish soldiers who fought against the Russian armies during the Ninety-three War, and detailed news about the ceremony was published in The Illustrated London News and L’Illustration magazines.Ahrida Synagogue was taken under protection by the decision of the High Council for the Protection of Cultural and Natural Assets dated September 16, 1987.
Address: Ayvansaray, Kurkcu Cesmesi Sok. No:9, 34087 Fatih/Istanbul
BET AVRAAM
It is a synagogue located behind Sirkeci Station. It is within walking distance of the Sultanahmet hippodrome, making it ideal for the Sabbath worship of the local Jews.
The synagogue can be visited with the permission of the Chief Rabbinate.
BET YAAKOV
It is a synagogue located in Kuzguncuk district of Istanbul. Built-in 1878, the synagogue is located next to a Greek Orthodox church. Although the Jewish population in Kuzguncuk has settled in other regions, those of Kuzguncuk origin regularly go to this synagogue on Saturday mornings for Shabbat.
BET ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
A synagogue in Şişli, Istanbul, affiliated with the Neve Şalom Synagogue Foundation. Established in the 1920s, the synagogue was expanded in the 1950s due to the growing Jewish population in the area and Jews fleeing the Nazis. It is the most frequently used synagogue in Turkey.
This synagogue, which was the target of a terrorist attack on November 15, 2003, can be visited by making an appointment with the Neve Shalom Foundation.
ORTAKOY SYNAGOGUE
Etz Ahayim Synagogue, also known as Etz Ahayim Synagogue, is a synagogue located in Ortaköy, near the right leg of the Bosphorus Bridge.
In the synagogue, which was destroyed by the fire in 1941, only the Aron Kodesh marble was not damaged. The synagogue was rebuilt after the fire.
ITALIAN SYNAGOGUE
The Italian Synagogue, also known as Kal de los Frankos, is a synagogue located north of the Golden Horn. It was founded in the 1800s by the Italian Jewish community of Istanbul named Comunità Israelitico-Italiana di Istanbul. In 1931, the old synagogue was demolished and a second one was built on the same site.
MAALEM SYNAGOGUE
It is located on the slopes overlooking the Golden Horn and next to the Jewish Elderly Home in Hasköy. Although Jews do not live in this neighborhood, which used to be frequented by Jews, the synagogue is open for weekday and Sabbath prayers.
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