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Egypt reopens one of the world’s oldest synagogues at site said to be where Moses prayed to God

The Ben Ezra synagogue, originally built in the 12th century and later reconstructed in 1889, with a prior restoration in 1982, has a rich history. It is named after Abraham ibn Ezra, a prominent Jewish figure known for his biblical commentaries during the golden age of Spanish Judaism.

Over the years, it has attracted notable Jewish figures, including the influential philosopher Moses Maimonides, who worshipped there and lived nearby. Some even believe it to be the location where the biblical prophet Moses prayed to God, according to CNN.

The Ben Ezra synagogue is historically significant as it is also the site where the Cairo Geniza, a crucial collection of Jewish medieval manuscripts, was discovered in the late 19th century. These manuscripts are currently housed at the Cambridge University Library.

The synagogue’s architecture features a basilica-style design, reflecting its previous use as a church, as confirmed by the Ministry. The restoration of the Ben Ezra synagogue was undertaken by the Drop of Milk Association. The objective of the project was to preserve Egypt’s Jewish heritage. This restoration effort involved safeguarding the ceilings and stones and providing insulation for the historic structure.

Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MOTA) has been actively involved in various restoration and conservation projects in recent years, as noted by Louise Bertini, the executive director of the American Research Centre in Egypt (ARCE).

In 2017, ARCE provided a grant to the Drops of Milk Association to fund the restoration of Egypt’s remaining synagogues, including the Ben Ezra synagogue. While Egypt once had a thriving Jewish population of over 80,000 in 1948, today, the number has dwindled significantly, with only around a dozen Jews remaining in the country.

 

Source: face2faceafrica.com

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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