Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue
كنيس النبي إلياهو
בית הכנסת אליהו הנביא‎
Street view of synagogue exterior
Religion
AffiliationOrthodox Judaism
RiteSephardic
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusRe-opened in 2020
Location
LocationNabi Daniel Street
Alexandria, Egypt
Geographic coordinates31°11′56″N 29°54′01″E / 31.19889°N 29.90028°E / 31.19889; 29.90028

Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue is a synagogue in Alexandria, Egypt built in the Neo-Gothic style.[1] It is located in Nabi Daniel street. An earlier synagogue was built on the site in 1354,[2] but was bombed and destroyed by the French during their invasion of Egypt in 1798. A new synagogue, the current building, began construction in 1850 with contributions from the Muhammad Ali Dynasty.[3] It is included on the World Monuments Fund's 2018 list of monuments at risk.[4]

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.[5][6] The synagogue was closed for the 5773 (2012) High Holidays because of security reasons.[7]

In 2017, the Egyptian government announced a project to restore the synagogue in a growing move of keeping its Jewish heritage alive.[8] It was rededicated in January 2020, with three Jews present at the ceremony.[9]

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue (Alexandria).
  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Hallelujah! Assemble, Pray, Study – Synagogues Past and Present". Beit Hatfutsot. Archived from the original on 2019-09-26.
  3. ^ Hosni, Yousrya Abdel-Aziz (2010). Alexandria: Historical and Archaeological Guide. American University in Cairo Press. pp. 95–96. ISBN 978-977-479-185-7.
  4. ^ "Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue". 2018 World Monuments Watch. World Monuments Fund.
  5. ^ Gazzar, Brenda (23 October 2008). "Alexandria's last Jews sad to see empty shul on Simhat Torah". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2011-02-17.
  6. ^ Aderet, Ofer (June 20, 2012). "Replica of Ancient Egypt Synagogue Arrives at Tel Aviv Museum" – via Haaretz.
  7. ^ "Jewish festivals cancelled at Alexandria synagogue - Politics - Egypt". Ahram Online.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "Magnificent synagogue restored in Alexandria". The Jerusalem Post. 2020-01-12. Archived from the original on 2020-01-11. Retrieved 2020-01-12.


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