Bet Israel Synagogue

The Bet Israel Synagogue is located in Karataş district in Izmir. This historic synagogue, located on Mithatpaşa Street, opened for worship in 1907. Initiatives of II.Abdulhamid who is the sultan of that period are instrumental in opening this place of worship. II. Abdülhamit wrote an edict to the Grand Vizier Kamil Pasha, who was the governor of Izmir in those years, and ordered that a suitable place to be built for Jews to worship. The Bet Israel Synagogue is regarded as the largest structure in Izmir in the special of Jewish places of worship. In the 1950s, Gizbar Avraam Rubi restored this place and was instrumental in restoring it to its present state.The 100 year of the synagogue was recently marked by many glorious events. The Bet Israel Synagogue currently continues to serve actively. The Bet Israel Synagogue, which is easy to reach because it is located in the center of the city, fills the eye, especially with its architectural features. Donations would be instrumental in the construction of the synagogue, which is considered the most impressive Jewish place of worship in the city. Especially at that time, the leading figures of the congregation made large donations. The Bet Israel Synagogue, built on a 920-square-foot plot, costs 1,200 golds. When the synagogue is opened for worship, it is not finished yet. However, it is used in this way for a long time. All synagogues in Izmir have an architectural style unique to the region. These are all high-walled and include a courtyard. In the center of the hall, there are four columns supporting the ceiling. During the construction process of the Bet Israel Synagogue, special artists are brought from Italy. This place is immediately separated from other structures in certain aspects of architecture. The wooden decorations in the synagogue add quite a unique catch to the place. On the other hand, it is observed that the Bet Israel Synagogue was influenced by the ornamentation forms in the rich Greek houses.