Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue | |
Image Upright: | 1.4 |
Religious Affiliation: | Orthodox Judaism |
Rite: | Nusach Sefard |
Festivals: | --> |
Organizational Status: | --> |
Functional Status: | Active |
Location: | 69 Nebi Daniel Street, Alexandria |
Country: | Egypt |
Map Type: | Egypt Nile Delta |
Map Size: | 250 |
Map Relief: | 1 |
Founded By: | Muhammad Ali Dynasty |
Funded By: | Sir Moses Haim Montefiore |
Groundbreaking: | 1836 |
Year Completed: | 1850 |
Date Destroyed: | --> |
Capacity: | 700 worshippers |
Materials: | Italian marble |
Elevation Ft: | --> |
The Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue (ar|كنيس النبي إلياهو; he|בית הכנסת אליהו הנביא) is an Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at 69 Nabi Daniel Street, Alexandria, Egypt.
The current synagogue is located on the site of an earlier synagogue that was completed in 1354.[1] [2] The earlier synagogue was bombed and destroyed by Napoleon's army in 1798, during the French invasion of Egypt.
Construction for the new, current synagogue began in 1836 with contributions from the Muhammad Ali Dynasty[3] and was completed following assistance from Sir Moses Haim Montefiore.[4] The synagogue was completed in 1850 in the Neoclassical style, with Gothic Revival and Byzantine Revival influences.[4]
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]