The Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue (Arabic: كنيس النبي إلياهو; Hebrew: בית הכנסת אליהו הנביא) is an Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at 69 Nabi Daniel Street, Alexandria, Egypt.
| Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue | |
|---|---|
_01.jpg) The synagogue exterior, in 2024, following restoration | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Orthodox Judaism |
| Rite | Nusach Sefard |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Synagogue
|
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 69 Nebi Daniel Street, Alexandria |
| Country | Egypt |
  Location of the synagogue, relative to the Nile Delta | |
| Geographic coordinates | 31°11′56″N 29°54′01″E / 31.19889°N 29.90028°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Synagogue architecture |
| Style | |
| Founder | Muhammad Ali Dynasty |
| Funded by | Sir Moses Haim Montefiore |
| Groundbreaking | 1836 |
| Completed | 1850 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 700 worshippers |
| Materials | Italian marble |
| [1] | |
History
editThe current synagogue is located on the site of an earlier synagogue that was completed in 1354.[2][3] The earlier synagogue was bombed and destroyed by Napoleon's army in 1798, during the French invasion of Egypt.[1]
Construction for the new, current synagogue began in 1836 with contributions from the Muhammad Ali Dynasty[4] and was completed following assistance from Sir Moses Haim Montefiore.[1] The synagogue was completed in 1850 in the Neoclassical style, with Gothic Revival and Byzantine Revival influences.[1]
The synagogue was closed for the 5773 (2012) High Holidays because of security concerns,[5] and subsequently fell into a state of disrepair. In 2017, the Egyptian government announced a project to restore the synagogue in a growing move of keeping its Jewish heritage alive.[6] The synagogue was included on the 2018 World Monuments Fund list of monuments at risk.[7] Following its restoration, the synagogue was rededicated in January 2020, with three Jews present at the ceremony.[8][9]
Although services are still held in the synagogue, it now caters to a very small community due to the dwindling number of Jews in Alexandria.[10][11]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b c d Gohar, Mohamed (December 24, 2017). "Eliahou Hannabi Synagogue of Alexandria and the Jewish community". Gohar Diaries. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ Meddeb, Abdelwahab; Stora, Benjamin (2014). A history of Jewish-Muslim relations : from the origins to the present day. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. p. 282. ISBN 978-1-4008-4913-0. OCLC 857364814.
- ^ "Hallelujah! Assemble, Pray, Study – Synagogues Past and Present". Beit Hatfutsot. Archived from the original on September 26, 2019.
- ^ Hosni, Yousrya Abdel-Aziz (2010). Alexandria: Historical and Archaeological Guide. American University in Cairo Press. pp. 95–96. ISBN 978-977-479-185-7 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Jewish festivals cancelled at Alexandria synagogue". Ahram Online.
- ^ Michaelson, Ruth (September 6, 2017). "'A great project for all Egyptians': Egypt to repair synagogue in city of eight Jews". The Guardian. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ "Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue". 2018 World Monuments Watch. World Monuments Fund. 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ "Magnificent synagogue restored in Alexandria". The Jerusalem Post. January 12, 2020. Archived from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
- ^ "Egypt unveils historic Alexandria synagogue after three-year renovation". The Times of Israel. January 11, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ Gazzar, Brenda (October 23, 2008). "Alexandria's last Jews sad to see empty shul on Simhat Torah". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
- ^ Aderet, Ofer (June 20, 2012). "Replica of Ancient Egypt Synagogue Arrives at Tel Aviv Museum" – via Haaretz.
External links
edit
Media related to Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue (Alexandria) at Wikimedia Commons
- "Eliyahu HaNavi Synagogue at Alexandria, Egypt". Diarna.org. Digital Heritage Mapping. 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- "Eliyahu HaNavi Synagogue". Alexandria Portal: Ministry of State For Administrative Development. Government of Egypt. 2014. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
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