Ets Hayim Synagogue
The Ets Hayim Synagogue (Hebrew: בית הכנסת עץ חיים (מצרים)), also known as the Etz Haim Synagogue, the Hanan Synagogue, the Baroukh Hanan Synagogue or the Kenisset Hanan (Arabic: كنسة حنان; French: Temple Hanan), is a former Karaite Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at 3 Qantaret Street, in the Ghamra neighborhood of Daher, in Cairo, Egypt. The synagoge was completed in 1900. The congregation worshipped in the Sephardic rite.
History
Various sources attribute the building of the synagogue to Baroukh Hanan, or Hayim Hanan, or by Ibrahim (Abraham) Hanan, and named after Baroukh Hanan.
The 3,500 m (38,000 sq ft) synagogue compound also has a yeshiva, a communal sukkah, and a mikveh, although this has fallen into disrepair. Some of the marble flooring of the synagogue was damaged during the 1992 Cairo earthquake.
The synagogue is protected by the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, under Decree no. 2112 of 1973, and the synagogue is guarded by police.
According to Canadian-American architectural photographer, D.R. Cowles, the synagogue was last used was in 1967. Abandoned by the congregation, the site is administrated by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
Notable former members
- Nagwa Salem (born Ninette Shalom), an Egyptian-Jewish actress
See also
References
- ^ Samir, Samar (December 28, 2015). "Locked away: Egypt's forgotten Jewish literary heritage". Historical Society of Jews from Egypt. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ "Synagogues: Cairo". Association Internationale Nebi Daniel. n.d. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ "Etz Haim (Hanan) Synagogue at Cairo, Egypt" (with image gallery). Diarna.org. Digital Heritage Mapping. 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ "Etz Hayim Synagogue". JIMENA Egyptian Experience. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
- ^ "History and Places of Interest for Your Trip: Other synagogues". Jews in Egypt. Travel Agency Mandala Tours S.L. n.d. Retrieved October 9, 2024.