Entrance to the Ahrida Synagogue

Ahrida (Ohrid) Synagogue (Hebrew: אכרידה‎) is one of the oldest synagogues in Istanbul, Turkey. Located in Balat, the Jewish quarter, it was built by Jews from the city of Ohrid in what was then the Ottoman Empire and is now the Republic of Macedonia, who immigrated to Turkey more than 550 years ago. The building, being one of the two ancient synagogues in Golden Horn, was renovated in 1992 by the Quincentennial Foundation, in celebration of the 500th anniversary of Sephardic Jews' arrival in the Ottoman Empire. Ahrida Synagogue is known foremost by its boat-shaped tevah (reading platform).^[1] Ahrida Synagogue is also the only synagogue in Istanbul at which Sabbatai Zevi, founder of the Jewish Sabbatean movement, prayed.^[2]

[edit] See also

• History of the Jews in Turkey
• List of synagogues in Turkey

[edit] References and notes

1. ^ "Chief Rabbinate of Turkey (Türkiye Hahambaşılığı)". http://www.musevicemaati.com/index.php?contentId=25. Retrieved 22 April 2007. 
2. ^ "Istanbul-Sacred Places-Ahrida Synagogue (Turkish)". http://www.istanbul.net.tr/istanbul_dini_mekanlar_detay.asp?id=54. Retrieved 22 April 2007. 

[edit] External links

• Chief Rabbinate of Turkey
• Shalom Newspaper - The main Jewish newspaper in Turkey

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