The Eliahu HaNavi synagogue, on Nabi Daniel Street in Alexandria was built in the 1850s by an Italian architect. One of the two biggest synagogues in the city, it could hold up to 700 people - including many of our interviewees. In 2017 plans were put in place by the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities to restore the crumbling building, and in 2020 it was rededicated. The synagogue is now open for prayer and tourists. It is included in the World's Monument Project.
On 10th June we hosted our second Zoom event, a discussion on the reopening and rededication of the Eliahu HaNavi Synagogue in Alexandria. Just before Coronavirus changed our lives, 180 Jews from all over the world gathered in the Eliahu HaNavi synagogue. As they sat in their father's seats the synagogue was filled with the sound of a full congregation on Shabbat for the first time in over 60 years.
Josyane Gold left Egypt as a baby, Elie Chilton and Alec Nacamuli as teenagers. We heard them speak about the organisational feat of arranging this trip, the emotions it brought out and the importance of a cultural and physical heritage.
You can watch the full event here.