Neve Shalom Synagogue

Towards the end of the 1930's the jewish population on the district of Pera and Galata increased so much that the need for a new synagogue became imminent.

In 1938 the reception hall of the jewish primary school (1.Karma) situated at Büyük Hendek Street was transformed into a prayer room with a wardrobe used as the Ehal and chairs hired from a cae nearby.

On April 24, 1948 ( 15 Nisan 5708) the community board of directors decided that a proper synagogue should be built on the same street and named NEVE SHALOM.

Finally, in 1949 all the preparations were completed. Two young architects, Elyo Ventura and Bernar Motola, were assigned as responsibles for the construction project. Elyo Ventura, in an interview held years later in 1991, explains his emotions and feelings as follows:

"It was the first time we were facing the responsability of such a big project. We were young, excited adn afraid and we knew that we had to work hard to do our best. The first and most important problem that we had to solve was the dome. It had to be beautiful even magnificient and strong enough to carry a chandelier of 8 tons. We made the drawings but asked the famos Mr. Badin to check our calculations and Mr. Garbis to do casting. The coloured glasses of the windows were designed by the Academy of Art and imported from England; the wooden structures, including the women's section, were made of the best quality local wood."

The opening of the Neve Shalom Synagogue was celebrated on Sunday March 25, 1951 (17 Veadar 5711) in the presence of the Chief Rabbi Rafael Saban, the synagogue rabbis, the community directors and members. On the speech Rav Rafael Saban gave to the crowd he emphasized that "A synagogue must not be only a place for prayers but a place where the rich and the poor, the old and the young, the educated and the ignorant would get together to share the joy or the sorrow as brothers"

Today there are very few jews living on the surroundings of this synagogue. Most of them have moved to the north, tu the modern parts of İstanbul.

But Neve Shalom still remains to be the most beautiful and the largest synagogue og thr city where most of the religious ceremonies like bar-mitzvahs weddings and funerals are held.

On Saturday September 6, 1986 the synagogue encountered the unfortunate attack of (two foreign) terrorists. As result of this attack which ended with the death of 23 workshippers, the interior of the building turned into a debris by the effect of the bombs.

The synagogue was renewed and open again on Mat 20, 1987. Though, some residues of this attack were kept as they were on the memory of the martyrs.