Synagogue Visits In Istanbul.

Jewish community have lived in the geographic area of Asia Minor for more than 2,400 years. In the later Middle Ages, Ashkenazi Jews migrating to the Byzantine Empire and Ottoman Empire supplemented the original Jewish population of Asia Minor. At the end of the 15th century, a large number of Sephardic Jews fleeing persecution in Spain and Portugal settled in Asia Minor on the invitation of the Ottoman Empire. Despite emigration during the 20th century, modern day Turkey continues a Jewish population.

The present size of the Jewish Community is estimated at around 26,000 according to the Jewish Virtual Library. The vast majority live in Istanbul, with a community of about 2,500 in İzmir and other smaller groups located in the rest of Turkey. Sephardic Jews make up approximately 96% of Turkey's Jewish population, while the rest are primarily Ashkenazic.

Turkish Jews are still legally represented by the Hahambasi, the Chief Rabbi. Rav Izak Haleva, is assisted by a religious Council made up of a Rosh Bet Din and three Hahamim. Thirty-five Lay Counselors look after the secular affairs of the Community and an Executive Committee of fourteen, the president of which must be elected from among the Lay Counselors, runs the daily affairs.

THE SYNAGOGUE VISIT ;

Those are the Synagogues that we will visit during this tour.

9.00am Ashkenazi Synagogue

9.20am  Neve shalom Synagogue

10.30am Ahrida Synagogue

11.30am Maalem Synagogue

13.00am Ortakoy Etz Ahayim Synagogue

The times are given by the rabbinate & times can change according to them.

NOTE : In Turkey because of the security reasons; we need to inform the visitors arrival to the Synagogues
and get a special permission from the rabbinate. In order to do this we need the passport copies of each guests, hotel adresses & ask our guests to fill our a special form that is given by the Rabbinate. e-mail.

The Ashkenazi Synagogue 
Located near the Galata Tower, it is the only active Ashkenazi Synagogue open to visits and prayers. Founded by Ashkenazim of Austrian origin in 1900, it is the last remaining synagogue among a total of three built by Ashkenazim. Visits con be made during weekday mornings and for Shabbat services on Saturday mornings.

The Neve Shalom Synagogue 
Built and opened in 1951 and the scene of a tragic terrorist attack in 1986, it is the largest synagogue in Istanbul where most of the religious ceremonies are held. The Neve Shalom is open to the public for morning visits during the weekdays and for Shabbat prayers every Saturday morning.

The Ahrida Synagogue                                            
Located in Balat near the Golden Horn, built by Jews of Ohri (Macedonia) more than 550 years ago and recently renovated during the Quincentennial Celebrations in 1992, the Ahrida Synagogue is known foremost by its boat-shaped bimah. It can only be visited during weekday mornings.

Maalem Synagogue                                                    
Located in the northern slopes of the Golden Horn near the Old Age Home in Haskoy, it is the only remaining one of the many synagogues of the area since the 1960's. It is open for visits only during weekdays and Shabbat Services are held regularly.

Etz Ahayim Synagogue                                 
Located in Ortakoy, near the European leg of the Bosphorus Bridge. When the previous synagogue burned down in 1941 with only the marble Aron-ha-Kodesh remaining, the new synagogue was rebuilt on the location of the then midrash. Visits can be made with previous appointments and both weekday and Shabbat services can be attended likewise.

If you want more information; you can send us an e-mail.

Other Synagogues in Istanbul

Italian Synagogue

Bet Israel Synagogue –Sisli

Yenikoy Synagogue

Yanbol Synagogue – Balat

Bet Avraam Synagogue –Sirkeci

Kal Kados Corapci Han Synagogue

Bakirkoy Synagogue

Hemdat Israel Synagogue – Haydarpasa