Beit Rachel Synagogue, Astana Explained

Beit Rachel Synagogue
Religious Affiliation:Judaism
Municipality:Astana
Country:Kazakhstan
Map Type:Kazakhstan

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.

See also

Notes and References

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