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Algazi Synagogue, Izmir
The Algazi (Alghazi, Algaze) synagogue, also known as the Kal de Ariva (Upper Synagogue) in Judeo-Spanish, was built in 1724 by the prominent Algazi family. It was one of the most important synagogues in Izmir for almost two centuries.
Description
According to its epitaph, the Algazi synagogue was built in 1724, by order of Ishak Algazı.1 There is speculation that it may have been constructed in the 17th century and controlled by Sabbatai Sevi in 1666.2 The building is also known as el kal de ariva (“upper synagogue” – as opposed to the kal de abaşo or “lower synagogue” in the basement) in Judeo-Spanish, because all of the Jews of Izmir from the 16th century onward were Sephardi migrants.3 The Algazi synagogue was one of the most important synagogues in Izmir until 1907, when it was overshadowed by the newly constructed Bet Israel Synagogue.4 In 1997 and 2007, private donors contributed to repair the Alagzi synagogue. Now it is open for tourism, Sabbath prayers, and other religious holidays.5
Architecture
The Algazi Synagogue is a masonry construction with a wooden floor, ceiling, and roof.6 It has an open courtyard with a tall wall, and inside the courtyard there is a well.7 The wooden gate and the black marble parts of the flooring were added in the 19th century.8
The Teva (Tefya), covered in a green prayer cloth, stands at the center of the synagogue. It is situated on a platform raised by four steps, which is contained by four floor-to-ceiling columns. This square core in the synagogue divides the space into nine parts.9
To the right of the Teva is the armchair of Ḥayyim Pallache (Abraham Palacci), a famous chief rabbi of Izmir (1855–1869) who used to pray at the synagogue.10
The Algazi Synagogue originally had separate sections for men and women, separated by a Mehizah. Legend has it that a young rabbi was once caught winking to a lady in the crowd during a ceremony, and that is why the barrier was taken down and services became male-only.11 In the 20th century, more dramatic changes to the floor plan of the synagogue were made, due to Italian stylistic influence and a general need for repair.12
The basement of the Algazi Synagogue, (el kal de abaşo – “the lower synagogue”), was used for Midrash and was where the ʿasara baṭlanim (“ten old men” or “ten gentlemen of leisure) prayed for the welfare and salvation of the community all day long.13 Unused scripts and religious objects were also stored there before being buried.14
The Algazi Family
There were several distinguished rabbis and masters of classical Turkish music from the Algazi lineage.15 Izak Ben Salomon Algazı is a well-known member of the Algazi family who is commonly associated with the Synagogue. He was born in 1889, educated at the Yeshiva Bet Hillel in Hayim Palaçi and like his ancestors, he became a Hazan (cantor) at the Algazi Synagogue. He has been considered one of the most important composers of religious, secular and classical Turkish music.16
Izmir, Turkey
© Mapbox, © OpenStreetMap
Sources
Some images of the Algazi Synagogue can be found here:
https://religiana.com/algazi-synagogue-izmir
https://www.visitizmir.org/en/Destinasyon/11006
Endnotes
1. Ünibel A.Ş, “Algazi (Algaze) Synagogue,” accessed August 7, 2022, https://www.visitizmir.org/en/Destinasyon/11006; “Algazi Synagogue,” World Jewish Travel (blog), accessed August 7, 2022, https://www.worldjewishtravel.org/listing/algazi-synagogue/.
2. A.Ş, “Algazi (Algaze) Synagogue”; “Algazi Synagogue.”
3. “The Jewish Community of Izmir,” Museum of the Jewish People, accessed August 10, 2022, https://www.anumuseum.org.il/the-jewish-community-of-izmir/.
4. Aksel Erbahar, “Algazi Synagogue, Izmir,” Encyclopedia of Jews in the Islamic World, October 1, 2010, http://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopedia-of-jews-in-the-islamic-world/algazi-synagogue-izmir-SIM_0001320?s.num=1&s.f.s2_parent=s.f.book.encyclopedia-of-jews-in-the-islamic-world&s.q=izmir.
5. Erbahar; A.Ş, “Algazi (Algaze) Synagogue.”
6. A.Ş, “Algazi (Algaze) Synagogue”; “Algaze Synagogue,” accessed August 10, 2022, https://izmir.ktb.gov.tr/TR-210574/algaze-havrasi.html.
7. Erbahar, “Algazi Synagogue, Izmir”; “Algaze Synagogue.”
8. A.Ş, “Algazi (Algaze) Synagogue.”
9. “Algaze Synagogue.”
10. Erbahar, “Algazi Synagogue, Izmir”; “Algaze Synagogue.”
11. A.Ş, “Algazi (Algaze) Synagogue”; “Algaze Synagogue.”
12. “Algaze Synagogue.”
13. A.Ş, “Algazi (Algaze) Synagogue”; Erbahar, “Algazi Synagogue, Izmir”; “Algazi Synagogue.”
14. “Algazi Synagogue.”
15. Erbahar, “Algazi Synagogue, Izmir”; A.Ş, “Algazi (Algaze) Synagogue.”
16. “Algazi Synagogue.”
Works Cited
“Algaze Synagogue.” Accessed August 10, 2022. https://izmir.ktb.gov.tr/TR-210574/algaze-havrasi.html.
World Jewish Travel. “Algazi Synagogue.” Accessed August 7, 2022. https://www.worldjewishtravel.org/listing/algazi-synagogue/.
A.Ş, Ünibel. “Algazi (Algaze) Synagogue.” Accessed August 7, 2022. https://www.visitizmir.org/en/Destinasyon/11006.
Erbahar, Aksel. “Algazi Synagogue, Izmir.” Encyclopedia of Jews in the Islamic World, October 1, 2010. http://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopedia-of-jews-in-the-islamic-world/algazi-synagogue-izmir-SIM_0001320?s.num=1&s.f.s2_parent=s.f.book.encyclopedia-of-jews-in-the-islamic-world&s.q=izmir.
Museum of the Jewish People. “The Jewish Community of Izmir.” Accessed August 10, 2022. https://www.anumuseum.org.il/the-jewish-community-of-izmir/.
Coordinates from winter 2017 trip.