New and Continuing Efforts to Preserve Jewish Sites in Izmir

Jewish-Heritage-Europe.eu provides an update on the continuing efforts to to protect and preserve the many former synagogues of Izmir, Turkey. These efforts have been ongoing for many years but are picking up pace – and funding. Taken together, the nine synagogue buildings and the contiguous spaces present one of the best preserved Sephardi Jewish quarters of the Ottoman empire.

Read all about it here with links to earlier stories.

The JHE site also has links to building assessments and preservation plans such as this fully illustrated document of the Talmud Torah (Hevra) synagogue where the first stage or restoration work is nearing completion. The synagogue was likely erected in the 17th century, but rebuilt in the 19th century, especially after fires in 1838 and 1841.