The Etz Ahayim Synagogue (Hebrew: קהל קדוש עץ החיים), also known as the Ortaköy Synagogue, is synagogue located in Ortaköy, Istanbul, Turkey, on the coast near the right leg of Bosphorus Bridge.[1]
It is unknown when the original synagogue was built, but it is estimated to be before 1703.[2] The building also housed an academy for over one hundred years.[3]
The synagogue was totally destroyed by fire in 1941 with only the marble Aron Kodesh remaining intact. The synagogue was subsequently rebuilt.[4][5]
The synagogue serves Ashkenazi Jews[6] and is also known as the 'Tree of Life' synagogue.[7]