| Tiféret Israel Synagogue | |
| Image Upright: | 1.4 |
| Map Type: | Venezuela Caracas |
| Map Size: | 250 |
| Map Relief: | 1 |
| Religious Affiliation: | Orthodox Judaism |
| Rite: | Nusach Sefard |
| Location: | El Recreo, Plaza Venezuela, Caracas |
| Festivals: | --> |
| Country: | Venezuela |
| Organisational Status: | Synagogue |
| Organizational Status: | --> |
| Functional Status: | Active |
| Ownership: | Israelite Association of Venezuela |
| Groundbreaking: | 1956 |
| Year Completed: | 1963 |
The Tiféret Israel Synagogue (he|בית הכנסת תפארת ישראל; es|Sinagoga Tiféret Israel) is a Jewish synagogue located in El Recreo, close to Plaza Venezuela in Caracas, capital of Venezuela. It is also the headquarters of the Israelite Association of Venezuela.
In 1954, the Sephardic Jewish community of Caracas reached an agreement to buy private land in Maripérez, Caracas, in order to build a synagogue to replace the one located in the El Conde area, which had to be demolished as part of the construction of the Bolivar Avenue, the main highway during that time. Finally in 1956 the first stone was laid; the synagogue was formally inaugurated and opened to the public in 1963, and since then has served as a religious temple for the Jewish community of Caracas.
See main article: Tiféret Israel Synagogue attack. In late January 2009, the synagogue was badly damaged in a well-organized attack,[1] following escalating tensions between the Israeli and Venezuelan governments after the Gaza–Israel conflict of 2008–2009.[2] The attack followed an article inciting anti-Semitic violence, which appeared (later removed, and replaced by an apology) on a government website.[3] [4] [5] An armed gang consisting of 15 unidentified men broke into the synagogue, tied and gagged security guards and occupied the building for several hours.[6] Anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli graffiti was daubed on the walls[7] and the synagogue office and Holy Ark were ransacked. They also called for Jews to be expelled from the country. Venezuela's Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro condemned the act as a "criminal act of vandalism". The Information Minister Jesse Chacón also condemned the attack and denied it had any connection with the government. Three former policemen and three civilians were found guilty and sentenced to ten years in jail.[8]