Antakya Synagogue Explained

Building Name:Antakya Synagogue
Image Upright:1.4
Location:56 Kurtuluş Caddesi, Antakya, Hatay Province
Country:Turkey
Geo:36.2002°N 36.1644°W
Map Type:Turkey Southeast
Map Size:250
Map Relief:1
Functional Status:Abandoned
Year Completed:1890
Date Demolished:2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes
Materials:Stone
Footnotes:[1]

The Antakya Synagogue is a former Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at 56 Kurtuluş Caddesi, in Antakya, in the Hatay Province of Turkey, near the border with Syria. Built in 1890, the synagogue was used as a place of worship until it was severely damaged in the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes.

History

The synagogue served the few remaining members of the once thriving, 2,300-year-old Jewish community of ancient Antioch (largely composed of descendants of Syrian Jews[2]), and which was one of the world's oldest Jewish communities, that by 2014, had shrunk to fewer than 20 members.[3] [4] [5]

The building was erected in 1890. Because Antakya is north of Jerusalem, the synagogue is built with the Torah Ark on the southern wall in a semi-circular apse.[6]

The synagogue was badly damaged in the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes.[7] The leaders of the Jewish community were also killed in the earthquake, and the entire Jewish community, numbering 14 members, was evacuated from Antakya.[8] [9]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Synagogue in Antakya . Historic Synagogues of Europe . . n.d. . 14 September 2024 .
  2. Web site: Bar'el, Zvi . Head of tiny Jewish community in Turkey: There's no love between Israeli citizens . . August 12, 2013 .
  3. News: Chudakoff, Danya . Turkey's Jewish community longs for the past: With only 18 members remaining, Antakya's Jewish community struggles to hold onto its rich history and culture . . May 14, 2014 .
  4. News: Ghermezian, Shirin . Only 18 Members Remain in 2,300-Year-Old Turkish Jewish Community Following Political, Economic Turmoil . . May 19, 2014 .
  5. News: Kaplan, Michael . Jews Spent Centuries in Antakya, Turkey. Now, There's Only 17 Left . . October 28, 2014 .
  6. Book: Zack, Joel A. . Historic synagogues of Turkey . American Sephardi Federation . 2008 . 188 .
  7. Web site: Turkey earthquake: 2500-year-old Jewish presence in Antakya may come to an end . 2023-02-15 . Middle East Eye . en.
  8. Web site: 14 Jews rescued from devastated Turkish city of Antakya, given shelter in Istanbul . Berban, Lazar . . 2023-02-16 .
  9. Web site: Antakya Jewish Community was also Destroyed by the Earthquake . . 2023-02-13 .