Asmara Synagogue

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Asmara Synagogue
ምኩራብ ኣስመራ
בית הכנסת של אסמרה
معبد أسمرا
Religion
AffiliationOrthodox Judaism
Location
LocationHaile Mariam Mammo Street
Eritrea Asmara, Eritrea
Architecture
Completed1906

The Asmara Synagogue (Tigrinya: ምኩራብ ኣስመራ, Hebrew: בית הכנסת של אסמרה, Arabic: معبد أسمرا) is the only surviving remnant of the Jewish community in Eritrea.[1] Built in 1906, includes a Jewish cemetery, classrooms, and a main sanctuary.[2] All aspects of the synagogue today are taken care of by Samuel Cohen, an Asmara native who remained in the country to look after the edifice.[3]

History[edit]

The synagogue was founded in 1906 by Yemenite Jewish immigrants from Aden. Along with the Adeni Jews, some congregants were Italian Jews. Others were refugees from Nazi Germany.[4]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Gutman, Matthew (2001-09-21). "4-member Cohen family is the last of Eritrean Jews". Jewish Telegraph Agency. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  2. ^ "Eritrea's last native Jew tends graves, remembers". Reuters. 2006-02-05. Archived from the original on 16 May 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  3. ^ Harris, Ed (2006-04-30). "Asmara's last Jew recalls 'good old days'". BBC News. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  4. ^ "Eritrea". Sub-Saharan African Synagogues. Retrieved 2023-03-06.

External links[edit]

15°20′14″N 38°56′27″E / 15.33722°N 38.94083°E / 15.33722; 38.94083