Beit Rachel Synagogue, Astana

Last updated
Beit Rachel Synagogue
Synagogue in Astana.JPG
Religion
Affiliation Judaism
Location
Municipality Astana
Country Kazakhstan
Architecture
Date establishedSeptember 7, 2004 (2004-September-07)

Beit Rachel Synagogue is a synagogue in Astana, Kazakhstan. Opened on September 7, 2004 [1] [2] , it is the largest synagogue in Central Asia.

Contents

Its opening ceremony was attended by President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Israel Yona Metzger. [3] Its construction was funded by Kazakh-Israeli billionaire Alexander Mashkevitch. [4] [5] The synagogue is named after Rachel Joffe, mother of Alexander Mashkevich, leader of Kazakh Jewry and president of the EAJC. [6] The Jakarta Post describes the synagogue, a rare example of its kind a Muslim-majority country, as "a symbol of how a Muslim country can build and sustain a peaceful relationship between Islam and Judaism." [7]

Architectural design

The area of the Beit Rachel Synagogue is 5,6 thousand square meters. meters (~ 60 thousand square ft). The roof reaches a height of 25 meters (82 ft). The top of the roof is decorated with the star of David, which is a symbol of faith and community. Inside there are separate prayer halls for men and women. There are rooms for overnight accommodation during the holy day of Shabbat. [6]

See also

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References

  1. "נחנך בית הכנסת המרכזי באסטנה בירת קזחסטאן". COL (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  2. חדשות. "חדשות בתי הכנסת". איגוד בתי הכנסת העולמי (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  3. Staff, J. (2004-09-10). "Largest synagogue in Central Asia opens in Kazakhstan". J. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  4. "Jewish and proud in provincial Kazakhstan". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  5. Jordan, Michael J. (2008-12-19). "A shared destiny among Jews, Kazakhs". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  6. 1 2 "Beit Rachel Synagogue". Archived on 10 June 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023
  7. "Learning to tolerate Judaism in Kazakhstan - The Jakarta Post". www.thejakartapost.com. Retrieved 2023-05-10.