Hemdat Israel Synagogue, Sephardic synagogue in Yeldeğirmeni, Kadıköy, Turkey
Hemdat Israel Synagogue is located on Izzettin Street and features brick construction with traditional Jewish architectural elements throughout its structure. The building contains prayer halls and spaces designed for the local Jewish community to gather and worship.
The synagogue was built in 1899 and became a central religious institution for the Jewish population of the Haydarpaşa quarter. It served as an important gathering place for the community on Istanbul's Asian side.
The synagogue follows the Nusach Sefard rite, a prayer tradition passed down for centuries among Jewish communities from the Mediterranean and Middle East. Visitors who enter can observe how these religious practices continue to shape the community's daily spiritual life today.
To visit the synagogue, contact the Chief Rabbinate of Turkey in advance to arrange access. This allows for organized entry and the opportunity to attend services if you wish.
The synagogue sits at the boundary between Istanbul's European and Asian sides and remains one of the few active Jewish centers in the Kadıköy district. This location makes it a place where two distinct areas of the city come together.
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