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Meyr Biton (Meir Enayim or Maadi) Synagogue at Cairo, Egypt
The Meyr Biton (מאיר ביטון) (also known as the Meir Enayim [מאיר עיניים] Synagogue or the Maadi Synagogue) is located at 55 Avenue 13 in the Maadi suburb of Cairo. [1] Construction of the building was completed in 1934. [2] While the Jewish community of Maadi has dwindled greatly since its inauguration, the synagogue has been kept in good condition and is still in use today. [3]
Description
Meyr Biton
Meyr Biton was a well-regarded landscaper for the Delta Land and Investment company and a prominent member of the Maadi community. [4] He was responsible for Delta Land’s many orchards as well as beautifying the streets and gardens of Maadi. He passed away in the 1940s. [5]
The Synagogue
The Synagogue was commissioned by Meyr Biton and inaugurated in 1934. [6] Biton and his wife, Regina Chamma Levi, purchased a 3,174 square meter plot of land on which to build the synagogue from the Delta Land Company, for whom Biton was employed. [7] They employed Isaac Kipnis, an engineer for Delta Land, to design and construct it. Funding for the synagogue’s construction came from Biton as well as other members of the Jewish community of Maadi. [8] Biton also founded a garden, featuring mango trees, that is connected to the building. [9] Additionally, he is responsible for the three-story apartment building adjacent to the synagogue which he placed in a trust for his wife. After she passed, the revenue from the trust went towards the maintenance of the synagogue. [10] Meyr Biton's name is inscribed on the face of the synagogue above the front entryway. [11] While the Meyr Biton Synagogue is not as regularly attended as it was in the 1930s and 40s, it remains in use today by visitors as well as the few remaining members of the Maadi Jewish community. [12]
Sources
Notes
[1] Sven Baruchel, “Synagogues,” Association Internationale Nebi Daniel, http://www.nebidaniel.org/synagogues.php?lang=en.
[2] Samir Raafat, “If it lights up, it’s Yom Kippur,” Judaica, October 2, 1997, http://www.egy.com/judaica/.
[3] Sven Baruchel.
[4] Samir Raafat, “The Synagogue’s Dilemma: Which Will it Be? Sacred Trust or Mammon Worship?” Bassatine News, August 13, 1994, Accessed July 25, 2022, http://bassatine.net/biton.php.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Samir Raafat, “If it lights up, it’s Yom Kippur.”
[10] Samir Raafat, “The Synagogue’s Dilemna.”
[11] Samir Raafat, “If it lights up, it’s Yom Kippur.”
[12] Ibid.
Works Cited
Baruchel, Sven. “Synagogues.” Association Internationale Nebi Daniel. http://www.nebidaniel.org/synagogues.php?lang=en.
Raafat, Samir. “The Synagogue’s Dilemna: Which Will it Be? Sacred Trust or Mammon Worship?” Bassatine News. August 13, 1994. Accessed July 25, 2022. http://bassatine.net/biton.php.
Raafat, Samir. “If it lights up, it’s Yom Kippur.” Judaica. October 2, 1997. http://www.egy.com/judaica/.
Photos
"Interior, Torah ark. Photograph of: Meir Einaim (Biton) Synagogue in Cairo." From the collection of the National Library of Israel, courtesy of The Center for Jewish Art.
"Interior. Photograph of: Meir Einaim (Biton) Synagogue in Cairo." From the collection of the National Library of Israel, courtesy of The Center for Jewish Art.
"Photograph of: Meir Einaim (Biton) Synagogue in Cairo." From the collection of the National Library of Israel, courtesy of The Center for Jewish Art.