Beit Rachel Synagogue
Religion
AffiliationJudaism
Location
MunicipalityAstana
CountryKazakhstan
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.

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

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.


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