Bet Israel Synagogue, Jewish synagogue in Şişli, Istanbul, Turkey.
Bet Israel Synagogue is a house of worship in the Efe Street area featuring a long barrel-vaulted nave with two side aisles. The interior maintains a simple and functional design without unnecessary ornamentation.
The building was converted from a former automobile repair workshop in 1952 and has served the community since then. An attack in November 2003 left marks, but the facility remained operational.
The synagogue follows the Sefardic rite and serves as a daily place of worship for Istanbul's Jewish community. It represents an active religious practice that has remained rooted in this neighborhood for decades.
Visits must be arranged in advance through the Neve Shalom Foundation, so visitors should contact them well ahead of time. It makes sense to plan several days in advance to secure a suitable appointment.
The building was originally an automobile repair facility, which explains its plain architecture that differs from elaborate religious ornamentation. This industrial past is still visible today in the straightforward, functional structure of the space.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
