Restored Alexandria synagogue hosts largest Jewish prayer in decades

Some 180 Jews of Egyptian origin from the Diaspora have flown to Egypt for a Shabbat celebrating the newly renovated 14th-century Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue in Alexandria.

The weekend was organized by the Nebi Daniel Association, which is dedicated to the preservation of Jewish sites in Egypt. It was closed to the press.

According to the World Monuments Fund, the Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue, one of the largest in the Middle East, is one of two remaining synagogues from the 12 that were in Alexandria, once home to an estimated 40,000 Jews with roots dating back to antiquity.

Today, the Mediterranean port city has fewer than 20 Jews, most of them elderly, Ynet reported.

Since Israel’s establishment in 1948, Alexandria’s Jewish community gradually dwindled, and the synagogue fell into neglect. After a portion of the roof collapsed, the holy site was exposed to the elements, and rainwater caused severe damage. In 2012, the synagogue was closed due to security concerns.

As part of Egypt’s new program to preserve its Jewish heritage, the synagogue was renovated in a multiyear, multimillion-euro effort beginning in 2017 after the Egyptian minister of antiquities visited the site.

The Egyptian government is interested in preserving all of the country’s monuments and heritage, regardless of religion, he said in a press release.

“The restoration project included structural and architectural reinforcement to the building, in addition to meticulous restoration of the main facades and ornate walls as well as wood and copper elements and developed systems for modern lighting and security,” the press release said.

The synagogue was built in 1354 and was destroyed by fire in 1798 when Napoleon invaded Egypt. It was rebuilt in 1850 when Egypt’s Jewish population reached its zenith.

“I’m very proud of what my country has done, and it symbolizes living together,” said Magda Haroun, head of Cairo’s Jewish community, according to Haaretz. “Today, there is no difference between Muslims, Christians and Jews in Egypt.”

The Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue symbolizes the Egyptian Jewish community’s legacy, as well as an opportunity to gather together and celebrate Shabbat.