(JHE) — We wrote in December about the stalled campaign to restore the structurally threatened Etz Hayyim synagogue in Larissa, central Greece. The restoration started in October 2019, but was halted two months later because of lack of funds and then Coronavirus restrictions. By now, the historic synagogue has been closed for more than a year and a half, standing empty, with its furnishings dismantled and removed.
The small Jewish community in Larissa has now renewed its appeal for aid to help complete what it now says is an estimated €450,000 project. It has posted updated photos and other information on its web site — and a new video about the campaign, the synagogue, and the community.
Take a look.
In a statement in April, leaders of the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece described the challenges of the restoration and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic:
The restoration project started in October 2019 when the Jewish Community of Larisa received a small initial funding from the program “German–Greek Fund for the Future” in order to conduct a detailed soil technical and static assessment.
Two months later and after the Synagogue had been completely despoiled and exposed to any danger, the project froze for almost one year, due to lack of funds and due to the Coronavirus pandemic lockdown.
During that pause, the Jewish Community of Larisa launched a large fund–raising campaign with a view to motivate both individuals and institutions in Greece and abroad to contribute, since it is certain that the restoration of this cultural and historic monument should be a concern ofJudaism worldwide.
Up until today, the Jewish Community of Larisa, with the continuous help of the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece as well as with the help and support of the other Greek Jewish Communities, has managed to raise the amount of 140,000 Euros but we strongly feel that this amount is not enough and every day that passes the Community of Larisa and the bond between its members weakens without the Synagogue.
Read our December 2020 article with details of the restoration project and threats to the building