Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue

Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue
Arabic: كنيس النبي إلياهو Hebrew: בית הכנסת אליהו הנביא
The synagogue exterior, in 2024, following restoration
Religion
Affiliation	Orthodox Judaism
Rite	Nusach Sefard
Ecclesiastical or organisational status	Synagogue 1850–2012 Re-opened in 2020
Status	Active
Location
Location	69 Nebi Daniel Street, Alexandria
Country	Egypt
Location of the synagogue, relative to the Nile Delta
Geographic coordinates	31°11′56″N 29°54′01″E
Architecture
Type	Synagogue architecture
Style	Neoclassical Gothic Revival Byzantine Revival
Founder	Muhammad Ali Dynasty
Funded by	Sir Moses Haim Montefiore
Groundbreaking	1836
Completed	1850
Specifications
Capacity	700 worshippers
Materials	Italian marble
[1]

The Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue (Arabic: كنيس النبي إلياهو; Hebrew: בית הכנסת אליהו הנביא) is an Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at 69 Nabi Daniel Street, Alexandria, Egypt.

History

The current synagogue is located on the site of an earlier synagogue that was completed in 1354.^[2][3] The earlier synagogue was bombed and destroyed by Napoleon's army in 1798, during the French invasion of Egypt.^[1]

Construction for the new, current synagogue began in 1836 with contributions from the Muhammad Ali Dynasty^[4] and was completed following assistance from Sir Moses Haim Montefiore.^[1] The synagogue was completed in 1850 in the Neoclassical style, with Gothic Revival and Byzantine Revival influences.^[1]

The synagogue was closed for the 5773 (2012) High Holidays because of security concerns,^[5] and subsequently fell into a state of disrepair. In 2017, the Egyptian government announced a project to restore the synagogue in a growing move of keeping its Jewish heritage alive.^[6] The synagogue was included on the 2018 World Monuments Fund list of monuments at risk.^[7] Following its restoration, the synagogue was rededicated in January 2020, with three Jews present at the ceremony.^[8][9]

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.^[10][11]

See also

• History of the Jews in Alexandria
• List of synagogues in Egypt
• Mohammed Feiter Building

References

1. Gohar, Mohamed (December 24, 2017). "Eliahou Hannabi Synagogue of Alexandria and the Jewish community". Gohar Diaries. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
2. 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.
3. "Hallelujah! Assemble, Pray, Study – Synagogues Past and Present". Beit Hatfutsot. Archived from the original on September 26, 2019.
4. Hosni, Yousrya Abdel-Aziz (2010). Alexandria: Historical and Archaeological Guide. American University in Cairo Press. pp. 95–96. ISBN 978-977-479-185-7 – via Google Books.
5. "Jewish festivals cancelled at Alexandria synagogue". Ahram Online.
6. 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.
7. "Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue". 2018 World Monuments Watch. World Monuments Fund. 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
8. "Magnificent synagogue restored in Alexandria". The Jerusalem Post. January 12, 2020. Archived from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
9. "Egypt unveils historic Alexandria synagogue after three-year renovation". The Times of Israel. January 11, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
10. Gazzar, Brenda (October 23, 2008). "Alexandria's last Jews sad to see empty shul on Simhat Torah". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
11. Aderet, Ofer (June 20, 2012). "Replica of Ancient Egypt Synagogue Arrives at Tel Aviv Museum" – via Haaretz.

External links

Media related to Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue (Alexandria) at Wikimedia Commons

• "Eliyahu HaNavi Synagogue at Alexandria, Egypt". Diarna.org. Digital Heritage Mapping. 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
• "Eliyahu HaNavi Synagogue". Alexandria Portal: Ministry of State For Administrative Development. Government of Egypt. 2014. Retrieved October 9, 2024.