It was founded in 1900 by Ashkenazi Jews of Austrian descent and is the last of three such synagogues in the area (the population of Ashkenazi Jews accounts for 4 percent of the total Jewish population of Turkey).
The Karaköy neighborhood of Beyoglu in Istanbul, Turkey, is home to the Ashkenazi Synagogue (Turkish: Aşkenazi Sinagogu), an Ashkenazi synagogue not far from the Galata Tower. It’s the only Ashkenazi synagogue in Istanbul that’s open and actively serving the community. Austrian Jewish community members established the synagogue in 1900. Even though Ashkenazi Jews only make up 4% of Turkey’s Jewish population, they built all three of the country’s synagogues, and this one is the last one standing. The synagogue is open for attendance at morning services on weekdays and Saturday mornings for Shabbat. The Ashkenazi Jewish community gathers here for religious ceremonies like weddings and bar mitzvahs. After founding the Jewish day school Bene Berit, Rabbi Dr. David Marcus served as its spiritual leader until he died in 1938. Since 2003, the Ashkenazi Synagogue has been led by Rabbi Mendy Chitrik, chairman of the Alliance of Rabbis in the Islamic States.
Ashkenazi Synagogue’s Architecture
Three ornate Oriental arches and octagonal rosette windows give the synagogue a striking appearance from the street. Inside, you’ll find marble floors, a dome covered in the Stars of David, and an ark that combines eastern European and Arabesque design elements.
Take a stroll down the nearby Camondo Steps after touring the synagogue; they were built in the Neo-Baroque and early Art Nouveau styles by Abraham Salomon Camondo in the 1870s and 1880s. The Camondos amassed their fortune in Turkey, where they were Jews. Their former Parisian mansion is now a museum, as described by Patricia Daunt in “Treasures of a Lost Dynasty,” which appears in Cornucopia 26.
Q: What is the Ashkenazi Synagogue?
A: The Ashkenazi Synagogue is a historic synagogue located in Istanbul, Turkey.
Q: When was the Ashkenazi Synagogue built?
A: The Ashkenazi Synagogue was built in the early 20th century.
Q: Who built the Ashkenazi Synagogue?
A: The Ashkenazi Jewish community in Istanbul built the Ashkenazi Synagogue.
Q: What is the significance of the Ashkenazi Synagogue?
A: The Ashkenazi Synagogue is an important cultural and religious center for the Ashkenazi Jewish community in Istanbul. It is also an important example of Jewish architecture in the city.
Q: Is the Ashkenazi Synagogue still in use today?
A: Yes, the Ashkenazi Synagogue is still in use today and continues to serve the Ashkenazi Jewish community in Istanbul.
Q: Are there any guided tours available at the Ashkenazi Synagogue?
A: Yes, guided tours of the Ashkenazi Synagogue are available for visitors. It is recommended to contact the local Jewish community or a travel agency to arrange a tour.
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Map of Ashkenazi Synagogue