The Great Synagogue stands as a reminder of the traditional practices of Judaism that thrive in Israel’s most cosmopolitan and secular city. The synagogue’s fading grandeur, which blends elements of eastern and western architecture, is a curious contrast to the gentrification of the surrounding neighborhoods. Visit the Great Synagogue to experience Jewish ceremonies and appreciate its contribution to the nation’s identity.
Prominent Israeli architect Yehuda Magidovitch built the synagogue between 1922 and 1926 with funds donated by Baron Rothschild. Remodeling took place in 1969 in an effort to give the landmark a modernist design typical of the era. At its peak, a congregation of up to 1,000 would attend services. It has hosted the Independence Day prayers of 1949, rabbi inaugurations and the funerals of poet Hayim Nahman Bialik and Zionist leader Haim Arlosoroff.
A series of concrete pillars form an arcade around the building’s austere exterior and an abstract embossed mosaic pattern surrounds the doorway. Inside is a haven of calm away from the busy commercial streets of the city center. Of particular interest is the ornate holy ark and a collection of 50 Torah scrolls, some donated by Holocaust survivors. Study the stained-glass windows, which are recreations of windows discovered at synagogues demolished across Europe during the Holocaust.
Visit on a Friday and Saturday to witness the weekly Shabbat events. A champagne kiddush (ceremonial blessing and prayer) is held on the patio. There are Shabbat dinners, choir singing and concerts, too. You might even see people gathering excitedly for bar mitzvahs and weddings. Remember that modest clothing and a kippah skullcap are required when entering the synagogue and attending communal events.
Find the Great Synagogue on Allenby Street, a lively thoroughfare lined with bars, boutiques, restaurants and theaters. It’s a short walk from Rothschild Boulevard, another of Tel Aviv’s vibrant districts. Get here by public bus or catch a low-cost sherut shared taxi. The Hagana Museum, Independence Hall and Gutman Museum are some major city attractions nearby.
