Disclaimer
This entry contains information known to us from a variety of sources but may not include all the information currently available. Please be in touch if you notice any inadvertent mistakes in our presentation or have additional knowledge or sources to share. Thank you.
Archive
Kahal Kadosh (Mezake et Harabim) Synagogue, Izmir, Turkey
The Kahal Kadosh synagogue in Izmir, Turkey is also commonly known as ‘Mezake et Harabim’, Ladino words that roughly translate to, ‘favor the public’ [1] The
building can be found in Alyabey, towards the end of 1695. Sk. [a dead-end street], enclosed by a small garden and fences. Two flags hang by the entrance, one is the Karşıyaka’s municipality flag, and the other appears to be the Turkish flag. Doors and windows are outlined with red architectural frames while the rest of the structure is covered in a shade of white. Alongside the flags and entrance, a plaque reads the following:
“Mezake et Arabim Havrasi, Izmir musevi cemaatinin Karşıyaka halkina bir kültür armaganidir – 10 Mayis 2000.” [4] [Turkish]“Mezake et Arabim synagogue is a culture gift from the Izmir Jewish community to Karşıyaka – May 10, 2000.”
Description
From Synagogue to Conservatory
The Kahal Kadosh Synagogue was founded in 1881-1882, following the arrival of the Jewish community that left Kemeraltı, (Jewish quarter) and moved to Karşıyaka. [2] When the Jewish community moved out of city, the synagogue was left behind, prompting the municipality of Karşıyaka to request ownership transfer of the synagogue. Later, the Jewish community agreed to transfer ownership of the synagogue to the municipality of Karşıyaka. [3]
May 10, 2000 marked the re-opening of the synagogue after its restoration. The municipality of Karşıyaka preserved many of the synagogue's original unique elements like the bimah (altar/platform), the aron kodesh (Torah ark) and the Hebrew verses on the walls. [5][6] According to transfer agreements between the Jewish community and the municipality of Karşıyaka, the building was allowed to be used exclusively for cultural purposes only. [7]
Izmir, Turkey
© Mapbox, © OpenStreetMap
Sources
Notes
[1] Max Weinreich, History of the Yiddish Language: The Problems and Their Implications (1959), 563.
[2] “Kahal Kadosh Synagogue,” Synagogues of Izmir, Izmir Jewish Heritage, last modified 2013, accessed August 2018, http://www.izmirjewishheritage.com/synagogues-of-izmir.
[3] Selim Bonfil and Siren Bora, “Izmir,” Turkey/Western Anatolia, JGuideEurope: The Cultural Guide to Jewish Europe, accessed August 2018, https://jguideeurope.org/en/region/turkey/western-anatolia/izmir/.
[4] Sade Vatandaş, Tahsin Bor Parki, (October, 2017) Google Maps.
[5] “Synagogue ID cards,” Index Card #14: Kahal Kadosh, Journey into Jewish Heritage, accessed August 2018, http://www.jewishheritage.org.il/moreshet/Uploaded_Files/documents/Kahal%20Kadosh%20ID.pdf.
[6] Izmir Jewish Heritage, “Kahal Kadosh Synagogue.”
[7] JGuideEurope: The Cultural Guide to Jewish Europe, “Izmir.”
Bibliography
Bonfil, S & Bora, S. JGuideEurope: The Cultural Guide to Jewish Europe. “Izmir.” Turkey/Western Anatolia. Accessed August 2018. https://jguideeurope.org/en/region/turkey/western-anatolia/izmir/.
Ghiuzeli, Haim F. The Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot. “The Jewish Community of Izmir.” Last Modified 1996. Accessed August 2018. https://www.bh.org.il/the-jewish-community-of-izmir/.
Izmir Jewish Heritage. “Kahal Kadosh Synagogue.” Synagogues of Izmir. Last modified 2013. Accessed August 2018, http://www.izmirjewishheritage.com/synagogues-of-izmir.
Journey into Jewish Heritage. “Synagogue ID cards.” Index Card #14: Kahal Kadosh. Accessed August 2018. http://www.jewish-heritage.org.il/default.aspx.
Meir, Jonatan. Kabbalistic Circles in Jerusalem (1896-1948) / by Jonatan Meir. Aries Book Series. Texts and Studies in Western Esotericism, VOLUME 22. 2016. Accessed August 2018
Weinreich, Max. "History of the Yiddish Language: The Problems and Their Implications." Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society 103 (1959): 563. Accessed August 2018
Coordinates from winter 2017 trip.
Further Reading and Additional Media:
The Expulsion of the Jews: Five Hundred Years of Exodus by Yale Strom Karşıyaka, İzmir, Türkiye website - The Old Synagogue Building
Write-up prepared by Jessica Ramon August, 2018