EDİRNE – The General Directorate of Foundations will restore the historic Büyük Synagogue (the Great Synagogue) in Edirne’s Kaleiçi Village.
“Büyük Synagogue is one of the two biggest synagogues in the world but today it is a wreck,” said Edirne Governor Mustafa Büyük, adding that the restorations of the synagogue will start in one month.
The synagogue built in 1907, located in Kaleiçi Village in the Marmara region, lost its ceiling and its side wall in 1997 because of lack of care. The restoration will enable Jews to worship in the synagogue again.
The wrecked synagogue has a capacity of 1,200 people. Two domes, one on a sidewall of the main room and one on the side of the entrance door, also collapsed in 1997. Büyük said the many mosques and Christian and Jewish worship houses brought cultural richness to Edirne. “After restoring two churches we opened them to worshippers. Now we will restore the Great Synagogue to open it for Jews after many years,” he said.
The budget unknown
The budget of the restoration is not yet clear because bidding has not taken place. The duration of the restoration is also not certain. “The restoration of the synagogue is a sign of Turkey’s splendor. We believe there will be many people traveling to Edirne to see the synagogue,” Büyük said.
Businessman Yasef Romando, a Jew living in Edirne, said the Great Synagogue was built after 13 synagogues burnt down in 1907. “It was used until 1970, but after many of the Jews migrated to the United States, Canada, Israel and Istanbul, the synagogue went vacant,” he said.
A similar synagogue exists in Austria. The synagogue in Austria is open to worshippers. “We cannot wait to see the restored synagogue in Edirne, we are so excited. I am sure the children and grandchildren of people who once lived in Edirne will visit the city and the synagogue once it is completed.”
Israeli Consul General in Istanbul Mordehai Amihai, who visited Edirne in December, said he loved the city and his grandfather used to live there. He said all Jews would be pleased to see the restored synagogue.
Source: www.hurriyet.com.tr, February 18, 2009
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