A shul in Izmir today
Funded by the German government, the restoration of the ancient Botei Knesset in Izmir, Turkey, will soon be under way, at a cost of 67,000 Euro. The rebuilding plans have been in preparation for several years.
This project is an international initiative of the Kiriti Foundation to restore the unique synagogue in Izmir, coupled with a cultural monument as a living testimony to the rich Jewish heritage of the city.
The foundation joined forces with the local municipality and the Jewish community to restore seven synagogues of Izmir and other historic communal structures, as well as to build a museum which will incorporate a cultural center. Four consecutive Batei Knesset located in the historic bazaar constitute the heart of the restoration undertaking: Habura, Algazi, Seniora Givrat, and the ruins of the Portugal Beit Knesset. The will be joined together with two nearby Batei Knesset: Etz Haim and Shalom, which, in addition of the Bikur Cholim Beit Knesset, constitute a unique complex of various styles of Sephardic synagogue architecture.
Only a century ago, Izmir boasted 63 synagogues, to be exact, some of them abandoned and in terrible disrepair. Some of these were restored while others remained derelict. Most of these Batei Knesset were located near the local marketplace.
The Bikur Cholim Beit Knesset is still being used. It is located on the main street. It is painted in plain yellow on the outside, like most other synagogues in the shuk. Its interior, however, is truly magnificent. The Shalom Beit Knesset, founded in the 16th century, included square marble pillars with Corinthian sculpture. Its ceiling is painted in geometric design as was common in the Romantic era. Its roof was restored through funds collected in recent years.
A Portugal synagogue is located not far away. Its gray facade is all that remains, which includes a Hebrew inscription, similar to the Algazi synagogue from the 18th century. It is still in use on Shabbos and Yom tov, this latter one the only which has survived from the four central Batei Knesset which were built with a surrounding courtyard. Its ceiling is painted turquoise.
The most ancient Batei Knesset of Izmir are not in use. Etz Haim requires extensive repair. Tradition has it that it was built around 1500, before the Ottoman era. The Habeiro Beit Knesset, the most beautiful in all of Izmir, is in total ruin and the local community has transformed it into a Jewish museum.
