SYNAGOGUES
The synagogues in Izmir are mainly located in an area
adjacent to the neighbourhood of Namazgah .This area is also the settlement r
the Jewish community.
The jews, who settled in Izmir in 1492 and the ensuing
years created their own settlement in a manner similar to the one observed in
other cities, with each such group opening a sanctuary .
In recognition of this
street No 927 at Mezarliibasi is known as Havra Sokagi (street of synagogues) .The street is called by this
name because of the amount of Synagogues in the vicinity.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
Since the Jews in Izmir were relocated to the neighburhoods
of Goztepe ,Karantina and Karatas towards the end of the 19th
century,the Beth Israel Synagogue , the largest one in Izmir, was built in
Karatas Neighbourhood upon an order by Sultan Abdulhamit II,the Ottoman Emperor
of the time, on 15 March 1905.
The interior decoration of the synagogue, which began
service in 1907, was ongoing process, achieving its present condition in the
195’s. The wooden decorations made of solid mahogany are the works of the
famous masters of the period.
The synagogue was designed to hold 600 people,
with its lower floor exclusively for men and the upper floor for women.It is a
favourite spot for religious celebrations like the wedding ceremonies and Bar Mitzvahs.
ALGAZI SYNAGOGUE
It was built by the Algazi Family in 1724 and is the largest
synagogue after the Beth Israel.It is open for services on Jewish Religious
days.
