After a long overhaul: Egypt reopened the ancient synagogue in Alexandria

The synagogue, which was first built in the 14th century, was renovated as part of an A-Sisi project aimed at promoting Egypt's diverse cultural heritage to revitalize tourism. The synagogue served the Jewish community of 40,000 people who lived in the city. "This is recognition of Egyptian Jews who have been neglected for over sixty years"

After a long overhaul: Egypt reopened the ancient synagogue in Alexandria

Egypt unveiled a recently renovated 14th-century synagogue in Alexandria yesterday as part of its push to market the country's rich cultural heritage. The Elijah Prophet Synagogue, which boasts green and purple stained glass windows and large marble pillars, was built in its current format in 1850 by an Italian architect, on the original structure from 1354. The synagogue was rebuilt after being bombed during Napoleon's invasion of Egypt in 1798.

In collaboration with the Egyptian Army, the Egyptian Antiquities Office oversaw the renovation, which cost about $ 4 million and lasted more than three years, after the building's roof and staircase collapsed in 2016.

Yolanda Mizrahi, an elderly Jewish woman born and raised in Alexandria, sat in one of the back wooden benches and seemed pleased with the progress of conservation work. "Had it not been for Sisi, it would never have happened. A lot of things have changed since he took over the state," Mizrahi told AFP.

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"It's recognition of the Jews of Egypt." Alexandria synagogue yesterday (Photo: Reuters)

Egypt reopens ancient synagogue in Alexandria, January 11, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

In 2018, A-Sisi defined the saving of places of worship for Egyptian Jews and Copts as a top priority of his government. The city of Alexandria, located on the Mediterranean coast, was once home to some 40,000 Jews, but today only a few Jewish citizens live in Egypt. The Jewish community of the Arab state fled or was expelled during the 1950s and after Israel was founded in 1948.

For Mizrahi, the synagogue is a nostalgic place where she used to attend prayers as a child, and was a gathering space for the Jewish minority in Alexandria. She hoped that opening the synagogue would encourage other Jews from around the world to visit him. "I have relatives who have left for France, Italy and Israel and would like to visit the synagogue now," she added.

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The city of Alexandria was once home to some 40,000 Jews. Preparations to open synagogue (Photo: Reuters)

Egypt reopens ancient synagogue in Alexandria, January 11, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

The original building from 1354. The Alexandria synagogue yesterday (Photo: Reuters)

Egypt reopens ancient synagogue in Alexandria, January 11, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

The synagogue closed in 2012 for security reasons, following the revolution the year before, and the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood and Mohammed Morsi to power in the country. Since Morsi's rule changed, Egypt has sought to advance its cultural heritage to revitalize the tourism sector, which has been severely damaged by political insecurity and terror attacks in the country.

Magda Heron, one of the leaders of the dwindling Egyptian Jewish community in Cairo, choked back tears after the ceremony. "This is recognition of Egyptian Jews who have been neglected for over sixty years," she told AFP. "It's a recognition that we've always been here and contributed to a lot of things just like any other Egyptian," Heron said.

The festive opening. Alexandria synagogue yesterday (Photo: Reuters)

Egypt reopens ancient synagogue in Alexandria, January 11, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

Front of Alexandria synagogue yesterday (Photo: Reuters)

Egypt reopens ancient synagogue in Alexandria, January 11, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)