Ashkenazi Synagogue of Istanbul

The Ashkenazi Synagogue (Turkish: Aşkenazi Sinagogu) is an Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue, located near the Galata Tower in Karaköy neighborhood of Beyoğlu in Istanbul, Turkey. The congregation worships in the Ashkenazi rite. It is the only currently active Ashkenazi synagogue in Istanbul open to visits and prayers.

Ashkenazi Synagogue of Istanbul
Turkish: Aşkenazi Sinagogu
The interior of the synagogue, in 2008
Religion
Affiliation	Orthodox Judaism
Rite	Nusach Ashkenaz
Ecclesiastical or organisational status	Synagogue
Leadership	Rabbi Mendy Chitrik
Status	Active
Location
Location	Yüksek Kaldırım Street, Galata Tower, Karaköy, Beyoğlu, Istanbul
Country	Turkey
Location of the synagogue in Istanbul
Geographic coordinates	41°01′31″N 28°58′30″E
Architecture
Type	Synagogue architecture
Completed	1900
Materials	Brick
[1]

History

The synagogue was founded by Jews of Austrian origin in 1900.^[2] It is also the last remaining synagogue from a total of three built by Ashkenazim, as the population of Ashkenazi Jews accounts for four percent of the total Jewish population of Turkey.^[3] Visits to the synagogue can be made during weekday mornings and for Shabbat services on Saturday mornings.

The synagogue holds weddings, bar mitzvahs and other religious ceremonies in the Ashkenazi tradition.

Rabbi Dr. David Marcus, who also established the Jewish school Bene Berit, served as Rabbi and spiritual leader until his death in 1938.

Rabbi Mendy Chitrik, chairman of Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States, has served as the rabbi of the Ashkenazi Synagogue since 2003.

Gallery

• 
  Dome
• 
  Façade
• 
  Torahs in the Istanbul Ashkenazi Synagogue

See also

• Judaism portal
• Turkey portal

• History of the Jews in Turkey
• List of synagogues in Turkey

References and notes

1. "Ashkenazi Synagogue in Istanbul". Historic Synagogues of Europe. Foundation for Jewish Heritage and the Center for Jewish Art at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. n.d. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
2. "Chief Rabbinate of Turkey (Türkiye Hahambaşılığı)". Archived from the original on March 15, 2007. Retrieved April 22, 2007.
3. "History of Jews in Turkey". Assembly of Turkish American Associations. Archived from the original on April 8, 2007. Retrieved April 22, 2007.

External links

• "Chief Rabbinate of Turkey". Archived from the original on May 13, 2007.
• "Home page". Shalom Newspaper (in Turkish). Archived from the original on October 17, 2007.