Visit to a Jewish Synagogue

We started the morning with a visit to a synagogue in Izmir.  With 99% of the Turkish population being Muslim, synagogues are very rare.  This one was only a few blocks from our hotel, so we walked.  We had to schedule a special visit because it is kept locked up except for services and special appointments and events.  There was a police "box" (small portable unit) that was placed out front where a city policeman is stationed 24/7.  We were told that there had never been violence, but the levels of trust in the community were low.

Men and women worship separately.  Originally men sat below and women in the upper galleries seen here.  With the aging and shrinking of the congregation however, they all worship on the main level with women on one side and men on the other.  We asked how many Jews there were in the city/congregation, but the man said that that is a question they do not answer. (I'm not sure why not...)

The scrolls of the Torah (the old testament) are stored on shelves behind the white curtain up front.  The congregation celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2007.

These lamps are gifts from members of the congregation.  Jews also keep a 'presence lamp' lit to symbolize the presence of God among us (like the Catholics do).  This dates back to the time of Moses when God lived among the Israelites as a pillar of fire at night and a guiding cloud during the day.

Members sit in chairs that they purchase.  No money is collected during worship.  Financial support of the congregation takes the form of sponsorships and gifts that are given during the year, but not during worship.

I loved the holy books they had available for the congregation to read scripture.  The right side is the scripture in Hebrew script and Hebrew words (read by only a few Jews with special training)  the middle section is Latin script with Hebrew words (able to be read by everyone, but understood by only some), and the left section is Latin script in Turkish words (used everyday in Turkey).