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Neve Shalom Synagogue
Content Code : Turkey-42639
Neve Shalom, meaning ‘Oasis of Peace’, is the largest working Sephardic synagogue in Istanbul. It was designed by Turkish-Jewish architects Elyo Ventura and Bernar Motola and opened in 1951 in Istanbul’s Galata district following a large increase in the Jewish population in the area around that time. The Synagogue’s beautiful stained glass windows were imported from England and designed by the Academy of Art, while the wooden structures were constructed using high quality local wood. Other striking features include the eight ton chandelier which hangs from the dome, and the neo-gothic Maltese stone exterior. Neve Shalom Synagogue still hosts many bar mitzvahs, weddings and funerals and is one of the most popular Jewish worship sites in the city. Neve Shalom suffered from 3 terrorist attacks in its history. The first, in 1986, killed 23 Turkish Jews. In 1992 there was another bomb attack but there were no fatalities. The final and most recent attack was in 2003, when both the Neve Shalom and Beth Israel mosques were targeted, killing a combined total of 23 -mostly Turkish Muslims- and injured many more. The Synagogue was renovated following these attacks, however, strict rules are in place for visitors, as below: • Visitors must phone in advance and make an appointment before visiting. • The visitors hotel/travel agency must write down the name, surname, citizen and passport number of the visitor and fax it to 0212 292 03 85 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0212 292 03 85 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0212 292 03 85 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. • The guide’s name, surname and phone number must be included on this form. • Passports must be shown when visiting the Synagogue. Special Note: If you come for prayer, you can enter the synagogue only by bringing your passport.
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