The vast majority of the Jewish community in Turkey (currently estimated at around 26.000 people) lives in Istanbul. This is only a fraction of the 500.000 Jews that once lived in Istanbul during the Ottoman Empire — a time when Jews and Christians made up 40% of Istanbul’s population. Read on for a short history about the Jewish community and an overview of notable synagogues in Istanbul.
Rise of Istanbul’s Jewish Community
The current Turkish community is a remnant of the great influx that took place during the Spanish inquisition in 1492. Sephardic Jews (or Spanish Jews) were forced to convert to Christianity or flee their homes. Ottoman Sultan Beyazid II granted these Jews (with their European scientific and economic knowledge) to take refuge in the Ottoman Empire and allowed them to live on the banks of the Golden Horn.
Also Russian Jews fleeing the pogroms in the 19th century and the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 found refuge in Turkey. And in 1933 Atatürk invited famous scientists under threat in Nazi Germany and Austria to find shelter and settle in Turkey. Turkey also served as a safe passage for many Jews fleeing the horrors of Nazism during World War II.
Remains of those days can still be seen in the Balat area along the Golden Horn and the Galata district in Beyoğlu — the centers of the Jewish community in Istanbul.
Decline of Istanbul’s Jewish Community
Unfortunately, a series of events triggered a massive emigration of Jews from Istanbul. First there was the wealth tax (Varlık Vergisi) of 1942. Although aimed at wealthy Turks, its effect on the Jewish community was catastrophic. An estimated 30.000 Jews, unable to pay their debts, fled the country.
Secondly there was the Istanbul pogrom of 6/7 September 1955 against the Greek, Jewish, and Armenian communities of Istanbul. Although more material then physical damage was done, this caused another massive emigration of these minorities, with some 10.000 more Jews fleeing Turkey.
Notable Synagogues in Istanbul
There are currently 26 active synagogues in Istanbul. Instead of listing them all, I decided to give an overview of the most notable ones from a tourist point of view.
- Neve Shalom Synagogue – located in Karaköy, this is the central and largest Sephardic synagogue in Istanbul. It was inaugurated on Sunday March 25, 1951 and is open to service (see details on their website). Unfortunately, Neve Shalom has been the target of three terrorist attacks.
- Ahrida Synagogue – one of the two remaining synagogues in Balat. It is the oldest and probably most beautiful synagogue in Istanbul. It was founded before the Muslim conquest of Istanbul in 1453 and has been in constant use ever since. Tourists can only visit by prior arrangement with a tour guide.
- Ashkenazi Synagogue – located near the Galata Tower, it is the only currently active Ashkenazi synagogue in Istanbul open to visits and prayers.
- Bet Avraam Synagogue – located behind the Sirkeci train station, it is the synagogue nearest to Sultanahmet.
- Bet Israel Synagogue – located in Şişli, it is currently the most populated synagogue in Turkey. The synagogue can be visited after making appointments with Neve Shalom Foundation.
- Caddebostan Synagogue – built in 1953 as a result of the increasing Jewish population in the Kadıköy district. It is the most populated synagogue on the Asian side of Istanbul.
- Yanbol Synagogue – the second of the ancient synagogues in Balat.
Visiting Synagogues in Istanbul
You can visit the synagogues only by prior reservation via the website of the Turkish Jewish community.
For every visitor, you should fill in a Visitor’s Info sheet and make copies of the visitors’ passports. You then send the passport copies as well as the filled in forms minimum four work days prior to the planned visit to the fax number or mail address mentioned there.
Jewish Museum of Turkey
Jewish Museum of Turkey is a cultural center inaugurated on November 25, 2001. In 2015, it moved to Büyükhendek Cad. No. 39, Şişhane, Beyoglu, next to Neve Shalom [Oasis of Peace] Synagogue.
The Museum collects, preserves, and exhibits knowledge about the cultural heritage of the Turkish Jews from the Ottoman Empire to the modern Turkey. It has three different sections:
- the history of the Jews in Anatolia
- a Judaica section which exhibits liturgical sacred artifacts including Torah scrolls, Megilat Ester and other ritual objects
- an interactive touch-screen map which shows all the synagogues and settlements of the Jewish life in Turkey
Visitors can visit the Neve Shalom Synagogue and sample Sephardic delicacies in the Habib Gerez Cafe. The museum is open daily, except on Saturday and religious holidays.
Shmuel Harrison says
We are visiting Istanbul from Moscow. Are there any homes that would rent us a room or two? With kitchen ? Thanks
Kurt(Shmuel Zisman) Harrison
2 November 2024
Pearl Hotel Room 304
Erlend says
Maybe you better have a look at AirBNB?
Barbara Eisenberg says
Looking to visit a synagogue in Istanbul September 25 or 26,2023. I can find any site to fill out a form.
Erlend says
I’m afraid I can’t help you with that.
Bruce says
I would like to be in Istanbul in the upcoming Rosh h’Shana. Any services provided for the travelers in Istanbul for Rosh h’Shana? Any group Chabad service, or else, available in town? Please email me.
Erlend says
Hi,
I’m sorry, but for all these questions you should get in touch with the Jewish community.
Meredith Friedman says
I am having difficulty finding where on the Turkish website you provided to fill out information and give passport info so I can visit synagogues in Balat. Please advise.
Erlend says
There are indeed no links to request permissions any more on their website. Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do about that.
Julie Crowther says
My grandmother lived in Istanbul ( then known as Constantinople) born around the year 1900. I am trying to contact any relatives or anyone who might have information about her . Her name was Rosa Cohen and around 1918 she married a British soldier and moved to England. She was Sefardi . Any records from a mosque for example. I now live in Spain and would like to have proof that I had a Sefardi ancestor to get double nationality but also to find any relatives.
Erlend says
Hi Julie,
I’m afraid I can’t be of any assistance in this. Your best bet would be to get in touch with the Jewish community of Istanbul, maybe via the link n the article.
Best of luck.
Michael Goncher says
We will be overnighting on our cruise in Istanbul in October of this year. My Grandfather lived in Istanbul until 1920. He was a conductor for the Orient express and his father was an attorney for the same. My grandfather had told me their heritage in Turkey goes back to 1492. I would like to see their synagogue when we are there. How do we go about making an appointment for a tour it. They were Sephardic their last name was Bension. Thank You.
Erlend says
Hi Michael,
The best option is contacting the people of the Jewish Istanbul community. There is a link on the article.
Best of luck.
Lara says
Sephardic Jews came with their Andalusian, not European, knowledge as you wrote..
robby israel says
Dears , I am the official representative of the company CEDEV ( european wine center ) located in Antwerp . Our company produces and export kosher wines in france , italy and spain . We are looking for an turkish importer who would like to import our kosher wines to turkey , directly from us and not an intermediary .We can provide our complete catalogue .
Thank you
Joanna Weinberg says
Do you know anything about Gracia Nasi Mendes who was given shelter from the Inquisition in Constantinople ? I am visiting in 2023 and very interested in any information you may have .
Joanna
Erlend says
Hi Joanna,
I’m afraid I don’t have any information on that.
Susana Behar says
Hello Joanna, you can find a lot of information about Doña Gracia Nasi on the web Also, there are a few good books about her life and contributions. I hope you’ll find all you want to know about this formidable jewess! It is really fascinating, good luck! Susana
susanabehar.com
Sarah says
I met many sefardic Jews in Israel. One was my uncle who often had his sisters visiting and I spoke in Ladino to each one of them.
Daria says
The Revolution in Russia took place in 1917 not 1971.
Erlend says
Thanks for drawing attention to the typo. I corrected it.