The historic, long-derelict Etz Hayim synagogue in Izmir has been officially reopened following a 2-year restoration carried out thanks to a substantial grant from the Izmir Development Agency (IZKA).
The ceremony took place November 29, at the opening of the third Izmir Sephardic Cultural Festival, which ran through Haukkah. Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer, Konak district Mayor Abdul Batur, Jewish community president Avram Sevinti, a representative of the IZKA, and Festival Director Nesim Bencoya jointly cut a ribbon.
Believed to be the oldest synagogue in Izmir, the Etz Hayim may date back to the 14th or 15th century — though it was later rebuilt, with its current appearance from the mid-19th century. It is part of a complex of half a dozen historic synagogues at the core of Izmir’s Jewish quarter that the Izmir Project is working to preserve as part of a planned Jewish museum.
Restoration work begun in the summer of 2019 entailed full restoration of the walls, roof, wall paintings, and flooring.
“Six years ago this Synagogue was facing a collapse,” said Judith Kiriaty-Matalon, who established the Kiriaty Foundation to spearhead restoration of Jewish heritage Izmir. “Since then, rescue efforts have been made to save the building, which later paved the way for subsequent restoration and conservation work until the current state of the synagogue was achieved. It was wonderful to celebrate this important event, which is a dream to come true on Hanukkah.”
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2 comments on “Turkey Update: the historic Etz Hayim synagogue in Izmir is officially reopened after restoration, during the Izmir Sephardic Culture Festival”
No a man is wearing kippa??
mazal tov