Bet Hillel Synagogue&Museum
Bet Hillel synagogue was founded in the home of the Palachi family. Rabbi Hayim Palaçi (1788-1869) and his son Rabbi Avraham Palaçi (1809-1899) were the most important religious scholars of the 19th century Izmir Jewish community. They are both considered the greatest of their time and their fame transcended the borders of Izmir and Turkey, causing Jewish religious scholars from Europe and the Middle East to come to Izmir for consultation. Rabbi Hayim Palaçi wrote a total of 72 books during his lifetime, 26 of which were published, and in 1861 he was awarded the "Cleric in charge of justice" order by Sultan Abdülmecit. Born in 1788 in Izmir, Hayim Palaçi was educated at the Jewish School in Izmir, became a religious scholar at the age of 25, became a religious judge at the age of 40, and became Chief Rabbi in 1865 at the age of 77. The works written by Hayim Palaçi in the Bet-Hillel Synagogue are still taught as textbooks in religious schools around the world. The Bet Hillel synagogue, together with Rabbi Hayim Palaçi's tomb and the purification pool (MIKVE) in the Gürçeşme cemetery where it is located, are believed by Hayim Palaçi's students to be sacred places that are called the Diamond Triangle and must be visited. The synagogue is located in Kemeraltı, near Havra Street. The restoration project of the Bet Hillel Synagogue has been carried out by the Metropolitan Municipality and the restoration is expected to be implemented by the end of this year.
