Achdut Yisrael Synagogue, Synagogue in Jerusalem, Israel
Achdut Yisrael Synagogue is a modest building on the second floor of a former orphanage in Jerusalem, located within a courtyard behind a stone wall. The interior has simple features such as plain wooden benches and a wooden ark for the Torah scroll, including a dark brown Torah made from deer skin.
The synagogue was founded in 1937 by supporters of Revisionist Zionism, a movement that emerged to create a Jewish state. During the 1940s, it became a gathering place for fighters of the underground groups Etzl and Lehi who fought against British rule.
The name Achdut Yisrael means 'Unity of Israel,' reflecting the founders' goal of bringing people together. The synagogue was closely tied to the underground movement of the 1940s, with Rabbi Arye Levine speaking every Friday night and encouraging the community through his visible support for its members.
The synagogue is located in a quiet courtyard and accessed through a simple iron gate on Mashiach Borochov Street. Visiting during prayer times is best, as this allows you to see the community at work and understand the daily rhythm of the place.
Beneath the Torah ark is a hidden space called 'Sleek' that stored secret weapons during the independence struggle. A special Torah made from deer skin was dedicated as a memorial to two Lehi fighters who assassinated a British official in Cairo in 1944.
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