Asmara Synagogue

Asmara Synagogue
  • Tigrinya: ምኩራብ ኣስመራ
  • Hebrew: בית הכנסת של אסמרה
  • Arabic: معبد أسمرا
Religion
AffiliationOrthodox Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusSynagogue
StatusActive
Location
LocationHaile Mariam Mammo Street, Asmara
CountryEritrea
Location of the synagogue in Eritrea
Geographic coordinates15°20′14″N 38°56′27″E / 15.33722°N 38.94083°E / 15.33722; 38.94083
Architecture
Completed1906

The Asmara Synagogue (Tigrinya: ምኩራብ ኣስመራ; Hebrew: בית הכנסת של אסמרה; Arabic: معبد أسمرا) is an Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue, located in Asmara, Eritrea. Completed in 1906, the synagogue in the only surviving remnant of the Jewish community in Eritrea.[1]

History

Built in 1906, includes a Jewish cemetery, classrooms, and a main sanctuary.[2] All aspects of the synagogue are managed by Samuel Cohen, an Asmara native who remained in the country to look after the edifice.[3] The congregation 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

References

  1. ^ Gutman, Matthew (21 September 2001). "4-member Cohen family is the last of Eritrean Jews". Jewish Telegraph Agency. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 25 May 2007.
  2. ^ "Eritrea's last native Jew tends graves, remembers". Reuters. 5 February 2006. Archived from the original on 16 May 2007. Retrieved 25 May 2007.
  3. ^ Harris, Ed (30 April 2006). "Asmara's last Jew recalls 'good old days'". BBC News. Retrieved 25 May 2007.
  4. ^ "Eritrea". Sub-Saharan African Synagogues: Architecture and Context. n.d. Retrieved 6 March 2023.