4. Ahrida Synagogue

Ahrida Synagogue

Attraction Synagogue
SITE OVERVIEW

According to tradition, the Ahrida Synagogue was founded in 1430 by Jews from the city of Ohry, Macedonia, thus the origin of its name (Ahrida / Ohrida).

The synagogue was destroyed in a fire in the 1600s. A decree by the sultan in 1694 led to the building’s reconstruction, which was carried out in the Ottoman Baroque style popular at that time. Particular examples of the Ottoman style are the mother-of-pearl inlaid doors of the Ark and wooden domes. It has a unique boat shaped bemah, said to symbolize Noah’s Ark.

The building was extensively restored in the early 1992 when remnants of architectural details from the 1700s and 1800s were discovered. Elements of those details were included in the restoration. The unique boat shaped bemah (pulpit) is said to symbolize either Noah’s Ark or the ships that brought Sephardic Jews from Spain to the Ottoman Empire.

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Cenacle (Room of the Last Supper)

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Tomb of the Virgin Mary

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Events

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Events

Mate Yehuda Wine Festival

The Mate Yehuda Wine Festival is a vibrant celebration of the region's rich winemaking heritage, deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and history. This annual event, which traces its origins back to ancient times, is held in the picturesque Judean Hills, a region renowned for its scenic beauty and fertile vineyards. The festival honors the centuries-old winemaking practices that have been passed down through generations, highlighting the cultural significance of wine in Jewish life. Attendees are invited to explore a tapestry of stories, from the early days of viticulture in Israel to the modern-day innovations that continue to push the boundaries of the craft. Experience the Festivities and Flavors Visitors to the Mate Yehuda Wine Festival can immerse themselves in a variety of activities designed to celebrate this storied tradition. The festival features wine tastings from local wineries, offering a chance to savor a range of exquisite flavors and aromas. Culinary enthusiasts can indulge in traditional Jewish foods paired perfectly with selected wines, while music and dance performances add to the festive atmosphere. The event also serves as a gathering place for wine enthusiasts and members of the Jewish community, fostering a shared appreciation for the art of winemaking and its role in Jewish culture. Whether you're a seasoned oenophile or simply curious about the rich tapestry of Jewish heritage, the Mate Yehuda Wine Festival promises an unforgettable experience. Image attribution: All from: <https://www.m-yehuda.org.il/events/8240/>

Nearby Sites

Sites

Jewish Museum of Turkey

The Quincentennial Foundation Museum Of Turkish Jews, which has been in service since 2001 in Karaköy Perçemli Street, has welcomed its visitors to its new complex, The Neve Shalom Synagogue in December 2015 with its updated content and modern exhibition technologies. The museum consists of the presentation of the 2600 years of historical and cultural heritage of Turkish Jews in this land, their contributions to the social and state life of the country they live in; of sections presenting the history,the ethnography,The Midrash, where religious objects are exhibited, the traditions, the life cycle and the settlements. The midway hall, which establishes the physical connection between the Museum and Neve Shalom, which is located on 3 floors, enables the live viewing of religious ceremonies in the synagogue. Witnessing rituals such as circumcision, weddings and Bar Mitzvah actually makes the museum visitor a part of the ceremony. Equipped with contemporary museum concepts, interactive panels have been designed and technology has found its place in the museum with touch screens. In the Cultural Center, which is located in the basement and used for temporary exhibitions, periodical exhibitions are frequently held. In 2001, the Synagogue was put into service as a museum, with the valuable contributions of the Kamhi family, Naim A. Güleryüz's suggestions and design, within the framework of the celebration program by The Quincentennial Foundation. The building maintained this function until 2015.
Sites

Hasköy Jewish Cemetery

Haskoy is one of the oldest districts where Jews used to live and one of the older still-used Jewish cemeteries is located there. During the many centuries the Haskoy Cemetery was used, as a result of earthquakes as well as the destructive intrusions of private people and official authorities, the plot has been significantly reduced. Especially in 1972 when highways and the Golden Horn Bridge were being built, hundreds of tombstones had to be moved.
Sites

Maalem Synagogue

Maalem Synagogue is a synagogue located on the slopes overlooking the Golden Horn near the Jewish old age home in the Hasköy district of Istanbul, Turkey. It is the only remaining open synagogue in an area that once had many Jewish residents. The synagogue is open for visits only during weekdays.
Sites

Or-Ahayim Hospital

The Hebrew name “Or Ahayim” literally translates as “Light of Life” — and a true light of life the hospital has been and remains to be for Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. Originally founded as a dispensary for the Jewish poor, the hospital, still funded and administrated by the Jewish community of Turkey, now serves the almost completely Muslim population of Balat, a sign of the commitment of Istanbul Jews to the city in which they live and have been rooted since early-Ottoman times and, in the cases of those who can claim Romaniote origins, far longer. The Or Ahayim Jewish hospital in Balat was founded and built in the last decades of the 19th century. Its construction and original endowment was funded by large donations from wealthy Istanbul Jewish families, as well as by masses of small coins placed into collection boxes by Istanbul’s far more numerous Jewish working poor. The monumental former entrance way as shown above, built in 1898 to replace an earlier structure, was designed by Architect Gabriel Tedeschi who, if I am correct, was also the architect of the Ashkenazic Synagogue (built as the Austro-Hungarian Synagogue) near the Galata Tower on Yüksek Kaldιrιm in the Karakoy section of Istanbul. Today, Or Ahayim complex comprises the only buildings in Balat still standing on the shore side of the Golden Horn coastal road, on what is now a park but was once the site of a shore-front slum.
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🌍 Celebrating One Year of the Jewish Silk Road Portal

World Jewish Travel was thrilled at #IMTM 2024 to present a copy of the WJT Jewish Silk Road Pressbook to the CEO of the Azerbaijan National Tourism Board Florian Sengstschmid and Jamilya Talibzade its Israeli representative Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB).

The Pressbook celebrates the one year anniversary of the Jewish Silk Road Portal launch, an amazing example of using Jewish travel as a means of cultural diplomacy, whilst highlighting the significant Jewish contribution to the ancient trade route. Kudos to our participating partners from the Kiriaty Foundation (Turkey), National Board of Tourism of #Georgia, National Board of Tourism of #Uzbekistan, and Israeli Embassy of #India.

See the overwhelming reaction from the press, by downloading our free pressbook. Special thanks to Moshe Gilad of the @haaretzcom for highlighting this forgotten but important story in the Galeria section of the newspaper and available to download on WJT.

👉Link to WJT Jewsih Silk Rad Pressbook and more is in our bio

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🌍 Celebrating One Year of the Jewish Silk Road Portal World Jewish Travel was thrilled at #IMTM 2024 to present a copy of the WJT Jewish Silk Road Pressbook to the CEO of the Azerbaijan National Tourism Board Florian Sengstschmid and Jamilya Talibzade its Israeli representative Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB). The Pressbook celebrates the one year anniversary of the Jewish Silk Road Portal launch, an amazing example of using Jewish travel as a means of cultural diplomacy, whilst highlighting the significant Jewish contribution to the ancient trade route. Kudos to our participating partners from the Kiriaty Foundation (Turkey), National Board of Tourism of #Georgia, National Board of Tourism of #Uzbekistan, and Israeli Embassy of #India. See the overwhelming reaction from the press, by downloading our free pressbook. Special thanks to Moshe Gilad of the @haaretzcom for highlighting this forgotten but important story in the Galeria section of the newspaper and available to download on WJT. 👉Link to WJT Jewsih Silk Rad Pressbook and more is in our bio

🌍 Celebrating One Year of the Jewish Silk Road Portal

World Jewish Travel was thrilled at #IMTM 2024 to present a copy of the WJT Jewish Silk Road Pressbook to the CEO of the Azerbaijan National Tourism Board Florian Sengstschmid and Jamilya Talibzade its Israeli representative Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB).

The Pressbook celebrates the one year anniversary of the Jewish Silk Road Portal launch, an amazing example of using Jewish travel as a means of cultural diplomacy, whilst highlighting the significant Jewish contribution to the ancient trade route. Kudos to our participating partners from the Kiriaty Foundation (Turkey), National Board of Tourism of #Georgia, National Board of Tourism of #Uzbekistan, and Israeli Embassy of #India.

See the overwhelming reaction from the press, by downloading our free pressbook. Special thanks to Moshe Gilad of the @haaretzcom for highlighting this forgotten but important story in the Galeria section of the newspaper and available to download on WJT.

👉Link to WJT Jewsih Silk Rad Pressbook and more is in our bio ...

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Step into the soul-stirring Pesach traditions of Jerusalem virtually. Experience the resonating echoes of Birkat Kohanim🌿

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#VirtualTravel #JerusalemVibes #SpiritualJourney #JewishTravel #Isarel #BirkatKohanim #JewishJerusalem

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Step into the soul-stirring Pesach traditions of Jerusalem virtually. Experience the resonating echoes of Birkat Kohanim🌿 Link is in our bio #VirtualTravel #JerusalemVibes #SpiritualJourney #JewishTravel #Isarel #BirkatKohanim #JewishJerusalem

Step into the soul-stirring Pesach traditions of Jerusalem virtually. Experience the resonating echoes of Birkat Kohanim🌿

Link is in our bio

#VirtualTravel #JerusalemVibes #SpiritualJourney #JewishTravel #Isarel #BirkatKohanim #JewishJerusalem ...

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Discover the enigmatic “Donkey Stable” in Jerusalem`s underground. Unveil the city`s secrets from home. 🌌

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#JerusalemUnderground #CitySecrets #ExploreHistory #JewishTravel #Israel #Travel #WesternWall

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Discover the enigmatic “Donkey Stable” in Jerusalem's underground. Unveil the city's secrets from home. 🌌 Find link in our bio #JerusalemUnderground #CitySecrets #ExploreHistory #JewishTravel #Israel #Travel #WesternWall

Discover the enigmatic “Donkey Stable” in Jerusalem`s underground. Unveil the city`s secrets from home. 🌌

Find link in our bio

#JerusalemUnderground #CitySecrets #ExploreHistory #JewishTravel #Israel #Travel #WesternWall ...

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