Ashkenazi Synagogue of Istanbul

Ashkenazi Synagogue of Istanbul
Synagogue interior
Basic information
Geographic coordinates
Affiliation	Orthodox Judaism
Rite	Ashkenazi
State	Turkey
Province	Istanbul
District	Beyoğlu
Cercle	Karaköy
Status	active
Leadership	Rabbi Mendy Chitrik

The Ashkenazi Synagogue (Turkish: Eşkenazi Sinagogu) is an Ashkenazi synagogue located near the Galata Tower in Karaköy neighborhood of Beyoğlu in Istanbul, Turkey. It is the only currently active Ashkenazi synagogue in Istanbul open to visits and prayers. The synagogue was founded by Jews of Austrian origin in 1900. It is also the last remaining synagogue from a total of three built by Ashkenazim, as the population of Ashkenazi Jews accounts for 4 percent of the total Jewish population of Turkey. Visits to the synagogue can be made during weekday mornings and for Shabbat services on Saturday mornings.

The synagogue holds weddings, Bar Mitzvahs and other religious ceremonies in the Ashkenazi tradition.

Rabbi Dr. David Marcus, who also established the Jewish school Bene Berit, served as Rabbi and spiritual leader until his death in 1938.

Rabbi Mendy Chitrik has served as the rabbi of the Ashkenazi Synagogue since 2003.

See also

Torahs in the Istanbul Ashkenazi Synagogue

• History of the Jews in Turkey
• List of synagogues in Turkey

External links

• Chief Rabbinate of Turkey
• Shalom Newspaper - The main Jewish newspaper in Turkey