Hevra Synagogue
The name of Hevra Synagogue is mentioned in ancient texts as 'Talmud Tora'. In the 17th century, during the reign of Rabbi Jozef Eskapa, this synagogue, which is known to have existed, was exposed to fires and rebuilt many times. After the 1838 fire, the building was rebuilt by the brothers Çelebi and Menahem Hacez, but it burned down again in the 1841 fire and remained in ruins for many years. The Hevra Synagogue, built in a central plan, is a typical Izmir synagogue with its Teva (prayer reading pulpit), triple Ehal (cabinet where Torah rolls are kept) composition and Midrash (small prayer hall). The large number of Torah rolls once found in the Hevra Synagogue gave it a prestigious status. The roof of the Hevra Synagogue collapsed in 1999 and rescue work was completed in 2020, but the restoration of the synagogue has not yet begun.
