Yabets Synagogue
The existence of the Jewish community in Bergama dates back to before the 16th century. In fact, in the 1570s, the population of the Jewish community in Bergama was higher than in İzmir (Tanaç, 2004, p.108). In the 19th century, according to the 1896 Aydın Salnamesi, the population of the Jewish community residing along the stream (around the synagogue) was 90 households and 495 people. The 1884 salname also mentions the existence of a synagogue in Bergama (Eriş, 2003, p.137). The Yabets Synagogue, located in the Turabey Neighborhood in the center of Bergama, is located within the boundaries of the third degree archaeological site. Built in 1875, the synagogue came back to life after the restoration. At the entrance of the synagogue, there is an inscription written in Hebrew mentioning the date of construction and the builder. The description of the inscription is as follows. "With the help of God... The stone that the builders despised became the cornerstone. For this construction, Mr. Efrayim Bengiat, may God bless him, allocated 37 liras in the name of the repose of the soul of his father Yitshak Bengiat, may God bless him, in heaven, on the condition that on the evening of the 14th of Kislev of the year, the rabbis, may God bless them, recite a prayer for his soul, and on the evening of Yabets Synagogue on the evening of Kipur, a prayer of mercy. 5645 (1875) year of blessings and goodness!..."
